Topic: Rotorua Casino bid
Topic type:
In 1997 there was a push to have a casino in Rotorua
The debate for and against a Casino in Rotorua continued on for several years. Prior to 1997 there were several applications to have a casino in 1988, 1989, 1990 & 1994. The main push started in 1997 when articles appeared in local and NZ newspapers regarding building a casino on land that is now Rotorua Central Mall owned by Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust.
All news articles regarding this issue can be read online through the Rotorua District Library public access computers. The link is EBSCO this will take you to the EBSCO Reference Centre, where you can search the Newspaper Title as listed below.
| Waikato Times | 29 July 1997 |
| Waikato Times | 13 May 1999 |
| Dominion Post | 7 Nov 1997 |
| Dominion Post | 4 Oct 2000 |
| Sunday Star Times | 10 Sep 2000 |
| NZ Herald | 20 Sep 2000 |
| NZ Herald | 30 Sep 2000 |
| NZ Herald | 5 Oct 2000 |
The Daily Post can be viewed on Microfilm at the Rotorua District Library on the 2nd Floor.
| 10 Jan 1997 | Alliance calls for casino referendum | page 3 |
| 1 Aug 1997 | Several articles throughout Daily Post on this date | Front Page |
| 12 Aug 1997 | Casino gamble bets profit and addiction | |
| 13th, 16th & 20th August 1997 | Further articles debate the Casino issue | |
| 20 Sep 2000 | Casino reading put's smile on Waaka's face | page 1 |
| 20 Sep 2000 | Casino hopes dashed | page 3 |
| 06 Oct 2000 | MP casino vote draws criticism | |
| 10 Oct 2001 | November deadline for anti-casino petition |
Maureen Waaka was a strong objector throughout the whole debate and wrote an article for Mana Magazine in 2003 entitled "A loner's game' in which she outlines the ongoing gambling issues in Rotorua.
