Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has announced a number of decisions affecting the gambling sector.

Mr Dunne told the Hospitality NZ conference in Nelson today while he was increasing some gambling operators’ fees and reviewing the minimum amount that gambling trusts must return to the community from class 4 gaming machines, he was also looking to a wider review of the sector. Mr Dunne said the government is concerned at the decline in gross proceeds from gaming machines over the past 10 years.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced the reappointment of four members of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission until 31 March 2016.

The Rt Hon Wyatt Creech will continue as Chair of the Commission for another six months and David McFarlane as Deputy Chair. Rangi Wills and Angela Hauk-Willis will also continue to serve until 31 March 2016.

Mr Dunne has been leading a public consultation on changes to New Zealand’s fire services and will seek a Cabinet decision later this year on how fire services would be managed, delivered and funded.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced 21 appointments across the Lottery Grants Board and 11 Lottery distribution committees.

There are three new members and 18 reappointments.

Lottery Distribution Committees make grants for community purposes, using money allocated by the Lottery Grants Board from the profits of New Zealand lotteries.  There are nine national committees focused on particular themes or issues and 11 regional committees with a general community focus.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced three new appointments to the Guardians Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

The Guardians role is to advise the Minister on key matters associated with the operation of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

“I am pleased to announce that I am appointing Dr Aroha Harris, Dr Sydney Shep and Dr Jock Phillips for three-year terms. I am privileged to have the opportunity to bring together such a well-qualified group of skilled people to continue the work of the Guardians Kaitiaki”.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced three new appointments to the Library and Information Advisory Commission (LIAC).

“I am pleased to announce that I am appointing Brian Morris, Dr Judith Johnston and David Reeves for three-year terms. I believe their wealth of experience will be of great benefit to LIAC”, said Mr Dunne.

“I am also reappointing Carolyn Robertson and Helen Tait for further three-year terms. I am appreciative of the strong contribution these members have already brought to LIAC”.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced the reappointments of Graeme Reeves as the Chief Gambling Commissioner, and Wendie Harvey and Russell Bell as Gambling Commissioners to the Gambling Commission.

Mr Dunne said the reappointment of all three Commissioners would retain valuable governance experience and skills during a period of significant projects for the Commission.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today welcomed the Government Administration Select Committee report on 10 year adult passports and the proposed implementation date of 30 November 2015.

“I’m delighted that the Committee has considered public submissions on the Passports Amendment Bill (No 2) so promptly and endorsed the recommended implementation date.

Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne says Secured Signing’s use of the RealMe verified identity service will give people using e-signatures an easy and reliable way to assure identity.

“Secured Signing enables people to sign documents electronically, RealMe verified identity enables you to prove who you are online. Used together, the two services will mean greater convenience and assurance for people who are asked to sign documents.

A clear message for change to the way our fire services are structured has emerged following the extensive consultation around the government’s Fire Service Review discussion document. While it is evident communities value the work of our fire services, they also want them to be fit for purpose in 21^st century New Zealand. 

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced the appointment of Jared Mullen as the Deputy Chief Censor of Film and Literature for a three-year term.

“Mr Mullen brings experience in organisational change management and a good understanding of the role of the Deputy Chief Censor and the Classification Office. His senior management experience in the public sector will be of great benefit to the Classification Office.”

Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne is praising the sixteen firefighters from New Zealand’s rural fire authorities that deploy to Canada tonight to help contain raging wildfires in the state of Alberta.

The deployment follows a formal request received from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre last week.

“This latest international deployment further highlights how well regarded our firefighters are on a global scale,” Mr Dunne said.

Internal Affairs Minister and Presiding Member of the Lottery Grants Board, Hon Peter Dunne today announced $180 million of Lottery funding is being made available to support communities throughout New Zealand.

Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are using online services, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said today.

"Kiwis are doing more of their government transactions digitally; by March this year, an average of 45.8 per cent of measured government service transactions were completed digitally – up from 30.4 per cent when measurement started in June 2012”, says Mr Dunne.

Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne says thousands of New Zealand online passport renewal applicants now have an easy, fast way to get a RealMe verified identity and access a range of online services.

“With a tick of the box, New Zealanders can verify their identity with RealMe when they renew an adult passport online and already more than 1200 customers have done so, more than half of those eligible, since the launch of the service at the weekend.

Proposals to improve support for volunteer, paid and rural firefighters and to ensure fire services meet community expectations are open for public feedback.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has released the Fire Services Review Discussion Document and is calling for submissions over the next six weeks.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne says the Government has listened to New Zealanders and adult passports will again be valid for 10 years, once required law changes are made.

“The 10-year validity period gives greater convenience to most adult passport holders, as they will need to renew their passport less frequently. This will also result in a reduction in the annual price of an adult passport for New Zealanders. The 10-year adult passport price will cost $180 (including GST), an average saving of more than $90 over the 10-year validity period.

The Budget confirms $6.1 million in operating funding over the next four years and $13 million of capital funding from the Future Investment Fund to rebuild Archives New Zealand’s Christchurch facility in Wigram, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne says.

Construction is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2016.

“The Archives project is good news for the people of Christchurch and a clear signal of the Government’s intent to keep the Christchurch rebuild on-track,” Mr Dunne says.

A critical lifeline for one of New Zealand’s most remote communities is to be completely rebuilt as a result of new funding in Budget 2015, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne says.

The Waitangi Wharf on the Chatham Islands will be replaced in a three-year construction project costing up to $52 million in capital funding from 2015/16 to 2017/18, sourced from the Future Investment Fund.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced the reappointment of Judy Kirk as the Presiding Member (Chair) of the Lotteries Commission for two years, the elevation of Tony Mossman to Deputy Presiding Member and the appointment of a new Director Mark Gilbert. 

“Mrs Kirk has been the Chair of the Lotteries Commission since 2009 and her strong leadership has overseen a period of solid performance by the Commission”, says Mr Dunne.