To: The New Zealand Government, Regulators, and Gaming Grant Authorities

Petition Request: We call for an immediate review and stronger regulation of community grant funding distributed through pokies revenue to ensure every dollar serves the public — not inflated claims, weak oversight, or organisational advantage.

Our Requests:

1. Full Transparency — No Exceptions

Every organisation receiving pokies grants must publicly disclose: Amount requested, amount approved, actual spending and final outcomes delivered to the community

2. Mandatory Cost Verification

Where organisations receive: Donated food, volunteer labour, discounted goods, free facilities or support, grant applications must reflect the real cost — not inflated values.

3. Independent Audits for High-Risk Funding

Religious institutions, sports clubs, and all funded entities receiving substantial grants should face random independent audits to verify: costs claimed, services delivered, community benefit achieved

4. Strong Consequences for Abuse

Any organisation found intentionally inflating costs, misrepresenting expenses, or claiming public funds unfairly should face: repayment requirements, suspension from future funding until stringent rehabilitation requirements have been met, public reporting of breaches where legally appropriate.

Why This Matters

Pokies funding comes from communities. People support these grants believing the money will reach those who need it most — grassroots sport, community wellbeing, support services, and public good. If donated goods become grant income… If actual costs become inflated claims… If oversight becomes a box-ticking exercise… Then public trust suffers. This is NOT an attack on religion. This is NOT an attack on sport. This is a call for accountability, transparency, and fairness. Organisations doing the right thing should welcome stronger oversight. Because public money should create public benefit — not unanswered questions.

Call to Action

Support stronger transparency laws. Support independent oversight. Support fair funding. Protect community money. Restore public trust.