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Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain today announced the 2013 appointments to the two bodies that support the National Library of New Zealand.

“I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Helen Walker as a Member of the Guardians Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library for a further term. Helen will continue to bring financial knowledge and general governance expertise to the Guardians Kaitiaki,” says Mr Tremain.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain today announced the reappointment of Lisa Hansen to the Gambling Commission. The new term, Ms Hansen’s second as a Commissioner, is for three years.

“The reappointment will retain valuable governance experience and skills. Ms Hansen, a Wellington barrister, will continue to provide her expertise and help maintain the high level of legal knowledge on the Commission,” says Mr Tremain.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain today announced that a review of harm minimisation systems for Class 4 gambling in pubs and clubs will be carried out by the Department of Internal Affairs.

The review follows the passing of the Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill 2013 and was signalled in September after the new provisions came into force.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says more than 125,000 people have renewed their passports online 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 Tremain.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain say there will be a stronger focus on privacy and security across government with the creation of a Government Chief Privacy Officer (GCPO).

“It is important that New Zealanders have confidence in government agencies to do all they can to ensure personal information is kept safe,” says Dr Coleman.

Vicki Caisley has been reappointed as a member of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission Board, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Chris Tremain announced today.

“Ms Caisley is a committed, hard-working member of the Commission Board. Her reappointment ensures that the Commission will continue to benefit from her valuable experience and expertise,” says Mr Tremain.

New Zealand has been ranked 4th in the 2013 Global Open Data Barometer, released in London by the World Wide Web Foundation and Open Data Institute.

“This is a real coup for New Zealand.  The Barometer is the first survey of global trends which ranks 77 countries on how they release their public data and the benefits those initiatives have for citizens and the economy,” says Mr English. 

Australians and New Zealanders will be able to access a shared archive of World War I records online to commemorate the Anzac centenary, Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain and Australia’s Attorney-General, Senator George Brandis announced today.

The Discovering Anzacs website, developed by the National Archives of Australia, goes live today and Archives New Zealand will make their World War I records available on the site from April 2014.

Minister of Internal Affairs Chris Tremain today announced that TSB Bank has become the first bank to go live with the RealMe service to enable new customers to prove their identity.

“I congratulate TSB Bank for being the first bank to adopt this innovative new product. RealMe is a core component of the Governments drive to deliver online services.  It is good to see the private sector adopting the technology to help drive their business,” says Mr Tremain.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain today announced a new panel of professional security service providers to help government agencies manage privacy and security issues effectively.

“Agencies will use the services of a company on the panel to obtain external expertise and advice on the strength and suitability of their ICT security processes, or to test the security of their ICT systems,” says Mr Tremain.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain today announced 30 projects commemorating the centenary of the First World War have been granted $2.7 million in funding by the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board.

“World War One had a considerable impact on New Zealand’s character, identity and sense of place in the world. The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board recognises the importance of this centenary event to our nation and has set aside over $17 million to fund community initiatives and projects,” Minister Tremain said.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says new rules for spot prize draws have been put in place in time for summer events. 

In a move that slashes red tape, draws have been exempted from the legal definition of gambling. Both commercial and non-commercial organisations can offer spot prize draws provided their events benefit the community

Internal Affairs Minister and Presiding Member of the Lottery Grants Board Chris Tremain today announced the opening of the $30 million dollar Lottery Grants Board Significant Projects Fund.

“This is a great opportunity for New Zealand communities and I am really excited about the benefits this funding will bring about. Thirty million dollars is a large amount of money and it will enable large and important community projects to be completed, creating a legacy for future generations,” says Mr Tremain.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says the Government is delivering on its promise of reforming Class 4 gambling (non casino gaming machines) and has released a consultation document on proposals to improve four key areas.

“The proposals I want to introduce follow on from the work with Te Ururoa Flavell on his Gambling Harm Reduction legislation and are part of a clear work programme of reform announced in June this year.  Our intended changes demonstrate the strong commitment this government has to reforming the Class 4 sector,” says Mr Tremain.

National Library’s digital drive today celebrates the online publication of the three millionth newspaper page on Papers Past says Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain.

“From the gold rush frenzy of Central Otago to the trenches of Gallipoli, Papers Past allows anyone to revisit our history at the click of a mouse. Information on our ancestors’ lives from birth to grave, and every news-worthy step in between, can be found with a simple search,” says Mr Tremain.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain announced today that Government agencies now have access to a Common Web Platform to share and reuse website features. 

The Common Web Platform is a shared web platform developed for government agencies by Wellington ICT company, SilverStripe and hosted by another New Zealand company, Revera, through Infrastructure as a Service, another All-of-Government service.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain has announced reforms that will align the Fire Service with the demands it faces in the 21st century.

“The Fire Service legislation dates back to the 1970s and has not been overhauled since then. In that time, the role of the Fire Service has radically changed,” says Mr Tremain.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain and Inland Revenue Minister Todd McClay have announced a new information sharing agreement which will improve compliance with child support and student loan repayment obligations.

Under the agreement, Internal Affairs will provide Inland Revenue with contact details from adult passport renewals or applications. 

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain today announced 22 appointments across 10 Lottery Distribution Committees. 

Most of the appointments start in September this year when current terms expire.  There are four new members and 18 reappointments.

“Distribution committees fund a range of great projects and programmes and make a major contribution to communities up and down the country, says Mr Tremain. 

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain announced today that priceless World War One collections at Archives New Zealand and the National Library are being made available online to all New Zealanders.  

“The diaries, personnel files, photos, voices and music of those in World War One will now be available to anyone at the touch of a button,” says Mr Tremain.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain has announced the validity period for passports will be extended so New Zealanders are able to get a full five year period of use. 

“Some New Zealanders need to renew their passports early because some countries require visitors to have six months validity remaining on their passport at the time of arrival,” says Mr Tremain

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says today’s passing of the Inquiries Bill will reform and modernise the law relating to inquiries.

“The Inquiries Bill amends the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908 and was long overdue for an update. It has been on hold since 2009 to enable the completion of the Pike River and Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commissions of Inquiry.

State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain say the Kiwis Count Channels 2013 report shows a growing number of New Zealanders look for information or deal with public services online.

“This report finds the internet is now the preferred channel for Kiwis looking for information on public services or dealing with public services,” says Dr Coleman.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain has announced the latest members of the Rural Fire Mediators Panel.

The members, appointed for five-year terms, are James Carle, Kerry Ellem, Dennys Guild, Kerry Hilliard, Alan Jackson and Paul Sampson.

“Each panel member has a wealth of senior fire, engineering or forestry experience built up over several decades in their respective sectors. I am sure their skills will be of great value,” says Mr Tremain.