Department of Internal Affairs investigators and police searched the Cranford Ale House in Christchurch on Friday 25 September 2026 with a focus on its gambling machine operations. Multiple sources told Stuff that at least 10 investigators were at the pub during the search. The Cranford hosts pokies attached to Air Rescue Services, which oversees charitable grants distributed from the gambling profits.
Second venue and managing director’s home searched
Sources said another search warrant was executed at a second venue. It is understood the DIA team also executed a warrant at the home of the managing director of Air Rescue Services. The DIA enquiry is said to be at a very early stage. No arrests have been made and no offences alleged.
The DIA said: “We can confirm that we have active investigations underway in relation to both Gambling Act compliance issues and other matters, but we are not in a position to provide any further details at this stage.” The venue manager and the Air Rescue Services managing director said they had no comment. Stuff reported the searches on 30 September 2026.
Trust runs 501 machines in 30 pubs
Air Rescue Services has 501 gaming machines in 30 pubs nationwide. Its grants list for the last quarter shows it gave almost $500,000 to the Flying Doctor Trust and the Canterbury-West Coast Air Rescue Trust, as well as to schools and sports clubs.
In a separate earlier case, a man who oversaw Air Rescue Services-owned pokies at a Riccarton sports bar he part-owned was sentenced to 11 months home detention after pleading guilty to 39 charges of fraud for stealing more than $160,000 in pokie grants intended for community groups. He repaid the money, which was then given in grants to the Canterbury-West Coast Air Rescue Service.