Gambling and psychoactive substances policies retained for Kāpiti

3 Nov 2026

Following its three-yearly review, Kāpiti Coast District Council has voted to keep its Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy and Local Approved Products Policy.

The Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy retains its sinking lid approach, which means no new Class 4 gambling venues, additional gaming machines or standalone TAB venues can be established in Kāpiti.

The review found the gambling policy is still fit for purpose. Kāpiti has 11 Class 4 venues and 184 machines, unchanged since 2023, yet gaming machine profits rose from $7.84 million in 2024 to $8 million in 2025.

View down the main street of Raumati Village on a clear day, with local shops and hanging flower baskets lining both sides of the road. Parked cars and vans sit along the kerb, while a cyclist loads a bicycle onto a vehicle in the foreground. The village shopping area stretches towards residential buildings in the distance under a blue sky.

Strategy and Policy Committee Chair Liz Koh says the sinking lid is working.

“Venue and machine numbers haven’t grown, and we want to keep it that way,” says Councillor Koh.

“Gambling harm is a real problem, and this is the most effective tool we have to limit it.”

Council also confirmed no changes to its Local Approved Products Policy, which sets local restrictions on the sale of psychoactive substances.

There are currently no approved products in New Zealand, and no licensed retailers in Kāpiti are affected. The Ministry of Health has said the current approval framework is unworkable and needs legislative change.

“There’s nothing to change at this stage,” says Councillor Koh.

“We’ll keep the policy in place and revisit it if the law changes.”

Council is required to review these policies periodically and is confident the current approaches reflect community expectations, provide regulatory certainty, and support the health and wellbeing of the Kāpiti Coast community.