Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(N.Z.) a bar game, based on betting on a sequence of numbers, e.g., on a £1 note, to determine who will buy the round of drinks.

1909		N.Z. Truth 21 Aug. 4: ‘Hokitika’ - A swindle pure and simple.
1941		Baker N.Z. Sl. 57: The Hokitika Swindle is an hotel bar game played in order to create a jackpot from which payment of drinks may be made. It is based on a method of counting, whereby the person who calls a certain number in sequence pays a specified sum into the jackpot [or shouts the round].
1953		Eve. Post (Wellington) 23 Sept. 16: ‘Hokitika’ Game Led To Fight. A fight outside a hotel in Lower Hutt follow[ed] a game of ‘Hokitika.’ [...] In a statement to the Police Parascuk said that ‘Hokitika’ consisted of guessing the numbers on a £ 1 note. He lost 15/- this way and accused Cloake of cheating [DNZE].
1988		McGill Dict. of Kiwi Sl. 57/1: Hokitika swindle calling of a certain number in sequence with the aim of creating a jackpot, which is used to buy rounds of drinks in a pub.
2003		McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. [as cit. 1988] [Ibid.] 103: Hokonui swindle Drinking game combining elements of chance with the ability to hold your liquor and follow a few simple rules.