The gambling sector and the public are being consulted on proposed changes to gambling fees, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said today. The changes are necessary because it is costing more to regulate gambling than the revenue from current fees charged since 2008.

“Gaming machines in pubs and clubs produce most of the fees’ revenue but pokie numbers have fallen further than forecast and this decline has not corresponded with a decline in the need to regulate the Class 4 gambling sector,” says Mr Dunne.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced 13 new members to ten Lottery distribution committees with terms commencing on 2 March 2015.

“Distribution committees fund a range of great projects and programmes and make a major contribution to communities up and down the country.  The new appointees bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and community connections, and will help ensure the committees continue to be well-placed to do their work”, says Mr Dunne.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced three appointments to the Archives Council Te Rua Wānanga. 

The Council has a statutory role to provide the Minister with independent advice on archives and recordkeeping issues.

The new members are Dr Angela Wanhalla, Anna Blackman and Thomas Norcliffe. 

“These three appointees bring a range of experience, skills and knowledge that will enable the Council to continue providing high quality advice,” said Mr Dunne.

Their appointments will start in March 2015.

Passage of Bill brings greater clarity to gambling sector The Gambling Amendment Bill (No.2) passed by Parliament today will ensure that the Gambling Act 2003 works as originally intended, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said today.

The Gambling Amendment Bill (No.2) was introduced in 2007 and, since then, important clarifications have been included specifying the responsibilities gambling operators have to the community after they are licensed.  Gaming machines in pubs and clubs (i.e. non-casino) represent 'Class 4' gambling.

Internal Affairs Minister, Hon Peter Dunne, today launched a new book celebrating the value new New Zealanders add to our national identity. Launching the book, Choice Whiriwhiria: The New Zealand Citizenship Story, Mr Dunne said the book showcases the role of new New Zealanders in shaping the New Zealand of tomorrow.

Attempts by three Labour MPs, Jacinda Ardern, Christopher Hipkins and Grant Robertson, to stop changes to the National Library’s Service to Schools programme, which will see more students and more schools receiving an increased number of books from the National Library, would be comical if they were not so tragic, says Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Peter Dunne.

Internal Affairs Minister and Presiding Member of the Lottery Grants Board Hon Peter Dunne today announced the opening of the 2014/15 application round of the Lottery Significant Projects Fund.

“From today, New Zealanders with community projects of regional or national significance worth $3 million or more will be able to apply to the fund. This is a great opportunity for New Zealand communities to seek funding for projects that they believe will make a difference in their local area, and I am excited to see the benefits this funding will bring about.

The Minister of Internal Affairs Hon Peter Dunne today announced a review of access to Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) records.

The existing BDM access rules came into force on 25 January 2009 with the requirement they would be reviewed after five years. Births, Deaths and Marriage records are used by many New Zealanders, to help establish their identity, to trace their family history and for many other reasons.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne will represent New Zealand at the inaugural meeting of the D5 Digital Leaders’ Summit in London 9-10 December 2014.

The D5 is a grouping of five nations– United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Korea, Estonia and Israel – considered amongst the most advanced in the provision of on-line government services. Its establishment is a British Government initiative and next week will be the first time the five nations have met together.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne says more than 300,000 people have now renewed their passports online in the two years since the launch of adult passport renewals in November 2012.

“Online adult passport renewals are a part of a drive by the Government to change the way New Zealanders deal with government departments. The Passports Online Renewal Service is a great example of what we can achieve with successful IT projects,” says Mr Dunne.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said today the Department of Internal Affairs has recalled the passport of prisoner Phillip John Smith, issued in the name of Phillip John Traynor, under S.10 of the Passport Act 1992.

“This means that for all practical purposes, his recently renewed passport is no longer a valid travel document and this recall allows the New Zealand authorities to formally advise international policing agencies that Phillip Traynor has a warrant for arrest in New Zealand and is the passport he is using is invalid”, said Mr Dunne.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne says changes to the gambling sector contained in the Gambling Amendment Bill (No 3), will see potentially dishonest gambling activities tightened up and red tape reduced. The Bill passed its First Reading today.

“The No 3 Bill will give communities better information on grant-making decisions; strengthen provisions that deal with conflicts of interest and reduce the regulatory complexity and cost for gambling operators.

The commitment and sacrifice of thousands of New Zealanders in the war to end all wars is brought to life in a compelling new exhibition at the National Library, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne announced today.

“World War One – A Contemporary Conversation marks the centenary of World War One and explores the relevance of war and conflict in today’s world,” says Mr Dunne.