Christchurch City Council is looking at whether its pokie machine policy is still fit for purpose. Head of strategic policy and resilience David Griffiths said it has been two decades since the city council’s Gambling and TAB Venues Policy was introduced. He says the council is checking back in with the community to see if it’s still fit for purpose. Griffiths said central government is the main regulator of gambling in New Zealand.  “Christchurch City Council’s only role in gambling is to decide whether to grant consent for new class 4 or TAB venues – we can’t close existing venues or force them to relocate,” Mr Griffiths says.   Class 4 gambling is pokies located outside of a casino.  “Nevertheless, it’s good to check in to make sure we’re doing all we can to reflect what our community wants,” Mr Griffiths says.  “Our combined Gambling and TAB Venues Policy was introduced in 2004, and, while we review it every…