Last updated: May 2026 — Craig Henare, Titojacksonformayor

How We Rate

Our Review Methodology at Titojacksonformayor

At titojacksonformayor.com, every online pokies review published on this site is the product of real, hands-on testing carried out by site owner and lead reviewer Craig Henare. This page explains exactly how we evaluate NZ-facing online casinos and pokies platforms, what criteria we use, how much weight each factor carries in our final score, and how we keep our process independent from operator influence.

We believe New Zealand players deserve honest, transparent information before they deposit a single dollar. That starts with telling you precisely how we arrive at our ratings.

Step-by-Step: How Craig Henare Reviews a Site

Step 1 — Initial Research and Background Check

Before Craig signs up to any platform, he researches the operator's ownership history, licensing jurisdiction, and any regulatory actions or player complaints on record. Sites with a troubled history are flagged immediately and noted in the review. Only platforms that pass this initial screening move forward to live testing.

Step 2 — Personal Account Registration

Craig creates a real player account using his own details and a New Zealand IP address. This mirrors exactly what a genuine NZ player experiences, including KYC (Know Your Customer) document checks, welcome bonus eligibility, and any geo-restrictions that may apply.

Step 3 — Live Deposits and Withdrawals

Craig funds the account using payment methods commonly available to New Zealanders — including cards, e-wallets, and where available, bank transfer options priced in NZD. He then requests a real withdrawal to verify processing times, any fees applied, and whether the site honours its stated payout windows.

Step 4 — Pokie Game Testing

Craig plays a representative sample of pokies from multiple software providers. He assesses game loading speed, mobile compatibility, RTP transparency, and the overall range of titles on offer. He specifically looks for popular NZ-player favourites alongside newer releases.

Step 5 — Bonus Evaluation

All welcome offers, free spin deals, reload bonuses, and loyalty programmes are read in full — terms and conditions included. Craig calculates the realistic value of each promotion and flags any wagering requirements, game restrictions, or withdrawal caps that reduce actual player value.

Step 6 — Customer Support Testing

Craig contacts the support team via live chat, email, and where available, phone. He records response times, the accuracy of answers, and the overall friendliness and professionalism of the interaction.

Step 7 — Final Scoring and Write-Up

After completing all testing phases, Craig assigns scores across six weighted categories and calculates an overall rating out of 10. He then writes the full review from his own notes, without using operator-supplied copy or marketing materials.

Our Rating Criteria and Weightings

Each site is scored across six key areas. The table below shows how much each category contributes to the final overall score.

Category	Weighting	What We Assess
Licensing and Safety	25%	Valid gambling licence, SSL encryption, responsible gambling tools, fair play certification
Bonuses and Promotions	20%	Bonus value, wagering requirements, terms fairness, ongoing offers for NZ players
Game Selection	20%	Total pokie titles, software providers, jackpot games, new releases, RTP availability
Payment Methods	15%	NZD support, deposit and withdrawal options, processing times, fees
Customer Support	10%	Availability hours, response speed, quality of assistance, contact channels
Mobile Experience	10%	Mobile browser performance, app availability, game compatibility on iOS and Android

Our Rating Scale Explained

Every site reviewed on titojacksonformayor.com receives a final score out of 10, calculated by combining the weighted category scores above. Here is how to interpret each score band:

• 9.0 – 10.0 — Outstanding: Among the very best options available to NZ pokies players. Excels across all categories.
• 7.5 – 8.9 — Very Good: A strong, reliable choice with only minor shortcomings.
• 6.0 – 7.4 — Good: Solid overall, but with notable gaps worth considering before signing up.
• 4.0 – 5.9 — Below Average: Significant weaknesses in one or more important areas. Proceed with caution.
• Below 4.0 — Not Recommended: Fails to meet basic standards for safety, fairness, or player experience.

How Titojacksonformayor Stays Unbiased

Independence is the foundation of everything we publish. Here is how we protect it:

• No paid placements: Casinos cannot pay to receive a higher rating or a more prominent position in our recommendations. Rankings reflect scores earned through our methodology alone.
• Affiliate transparency: This site may earn a commission if you sign up to a casino through one of our links. This never influences the review score or the content written about that operator.
• No operator-written content: Craig writes every review himself based on his own testing notes. We do not publish or reproduce copy provided by casino marketing teams.
• Regular re-reviews: Platforms are revisited when ownership changes, new terms are introduced, or player complaints emerge. Scores are updated to reflect current conditions, not historical ones.
• Player feedback considered: Craig actively reads verified player feedback from NZ gambling communities and incorporates consistent themes into updated reviews where relevant.

About Craig Henare

Craig Henare is a New Zealand-based gambling writer and the owner of titojacksonformayor.com. With years of direct experience reviewing online pokies platforms for the NZ market, Craig brings first-hand knowledge of what local players actually need — fair bonuses, fast NZD withdrawals, and genuine game quality. He does not accept free chips or preferential treatment from operators in exchange for positive coverage.

If you have questions about our review process or want to suggest a site for Craig to test, you are welcome to reach out through our contact page.