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Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed $6,675,734 in new funding for 40 projects around the country through the Lottery Communities Facilities Fund Committee.

“This funding will be a real boost for many local communities. These projects will help build and improve new facilities for everyone to benefit from.”

Some of the major highlights include:

Archives New Zealand is considering displaying the original 1840 Treaty of Waitangi in a new and improved public space at the refurbished National Library building, the Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand, Nathan Guy, has announced today.

“The Treaty is currently on display at the Archives New Zealand building on Mulgrave Street in Wellington. However, the National Library’s newly refurbished building on Molesworth Street is due for completion later next year and we want to maximise the use of this fantastic new facility.

Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced three new appointments to the Film and Literature Board of Review today.

“These members bring a variety of skills and experience to this important work,” says Mr Guy.

Eileen Swan, of Auckland, is a private clinical psychologist and also a clinical consultant at Refugees as Survivors New Zealand.

Clare O’Leary, of Wellington, brings experience in digital media strategy and documentary filmmaking as a Director of GoGo Media. She also works as a Palliative Care Educator with Mary Potter Hospice.

The Government is about to begin a review of transport rules affecting agricultural contractors and vehicles, the Associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“We want to make sure these rules are ensuring public safety without imposing unnecessary red-tape.

“Contractors and farmers need to harvest crops when they are ready, and when the weather is right. Sometimes this may mean working long and irregular hours. The current rules around work time and logbook requirements may not provide enough flexibility for what is a very important industry.

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has congratulated New Zealand Lotteries on reaching the milestone of $3 billion raised for community funds, celebrated at a function in Wellington tonight.

“Since the first Lotto draw on 1 August 1987, NZ Lotteries have done an outstanding job of raising money for the community. A total of $3 billion has now been raised from the proceeds of games like Lotto, Instant Kiwi, Big Wednesday and Keno.

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has announced 18 appointments across seven national lottery distribution committees today.

The appointments are:

Christchurch lawyer Matthew Martin has been appointed a member of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, Associate Justice Minister Nathan Guy announced today.

The independent tribunal was established under the Immigration Act 2009 to consider all immigration, deportation, refugee, and protection appeals in New Zealand.

New legislation and an agreement with New Zealand Post means that igovt services are set for expansion across the public sector, and potentially into the private sector, says Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.

“The Electronic Identity Verification Bill has been introduced to Parliament today, which will enable igovt services to be used by the private sector.

“The Government has also reached an agreement with New Zealand Post for them to develop and promote these services to private sector organisations, once the enabling legislation is passed.

Associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy is urging New Zealanders to heed the message of Rail Safety Week and take care around rail tracks and level crossings.

Since 2000, 42 car drivers or passengers have been killed and 171 injured in level crossing collisions. 18 pedestrians and cyclists have also been killed.

“Most of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented. Rail Safety Week challenges us to not add to these numbers,” says Mr Guy.

Gaming societies will be allowed to make multi-year grants from 15 September, the Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has announced today.

“Up until now, non-casino gaming machine (e.g. pokie machine) societies could only make annual grants to the community.

“This change will be welcomed by many sporting, cultural and charity groups. It will give them the confidence to focus on delivering longer-term projects for the benefit of local communities. It will be particularly helpful for major events and capital projects.

The Government is encouraging state sector agencies to release more of their data online that has a high potential value to the public and the economy.

"Today the Government is releasing a declaration that clearly sets out our expectation that agencies should release all non-personal and unclassified data with high potential value for re-use," Finance Minister Bill English says.

Associate Minister of Justice Nathan Guy is urging workers in the security industry to apply for a license or certificate of approval by the end of August.

“New legislation means that crowd controllers and personal guards are required to hold a licence or certificate of approval by 1 November 2011. This includes bouncers and door staff working at bars, who will be regulated for the first time,” says Mr Guy.

District Court Judge Paul Barber has been appointed chairperson of the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal, Associate Justice Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

The Disciplinary Tribunal was established under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008, and deals with the licensing and discipline of real estate agents.

The Minister Responsible for the National Library Nathan Guy has welcomed the inclusion of up to 82 libraries in the final tender process for the Government’s rural broadband initiative.

“This will be a major boost for public access to the internet. Many rural communities will have access to ultra-fast broadband, even if they live outside the UFB coverage area.

Five new Lotteries appointments have been announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, including one to the Lottery Grants Board and four to regional distribution committees.

Ailsa Smaill of the Gore area has been appointed to the Lottery Grants Board.  Ms Smaill has a background in horse breeding and farming, and is a former member of a lottery national distribution committee.

New Zealand’s new Poet Laureate for 2011-2013 is Ian Wedde, the Minister responsible for the National Library Nathan Guy has announced today.

“The Poet Laureate is a prestigious position, acting as an Ambassador for the role of poetry as part of our national culture,” says Mr Guy.

“This position is administered by the National Library and is a recognition by the government of how important poetry is to our history, culture and identity.

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has announced two new appointments to the Gambling Commission.

“Abigail Foote, a Christchurch lawyer brings legal expertise, governance and management experience to her role.

“Russell Bell, a chartered accountant from Wanganui has a strong background in risk management and auditing.

“These two appointments bring the Commission to its full complement of five members. They will join Chief Commissioner Graeme Reeves, and Commissioners Paul Stanley and Lisa Hansen.”

Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced the reappointment of Judge Carolyn Henwood as Chair of the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service.

The service has been operating since mid-2009 to provide a confidential environment in which people in state care before 1992 can voice their concerns about abuse, neglect, or the way in which they were treated. 

This includes people who spent time in psychiatric hospitals, health camps, child welfare homes, foster care, and special education homes.

New Zealand is looking to negotiate new and improved air services agreements with countries in East Asia and South America, Associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy announced today.

"This is an important step in encouraging stronger tourism and business ties with two of the fastest growing regions in the world," Mr Guy says.

Changes to the makeup of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission Board have been announced by Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy today.

Former Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Wyatt Creech, moves from Deputy Chair to the Chair of the Board. Mr Creech succeeds Dame Margaret Bazley, Chair for the past 12 years, whose term expires on 31 July 2011.

Mr Creech was a minister for nine years. He is an experienced corporate director and has been a member of the Fire Commission since September 2009.

$6 million in lottery funding has been allocated to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, the Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has announced today.

“In total $154 million in lottery allocations will be pumped back into the community this year, from the proceeds of games like Lotto, Instant Kiwi and Daily Keno.

“The $6 million grant will go to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, following a grant of $8.2 million raised by a special Lotto draw earlier this year.

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has congratulated two firefighters on their New Zealand Bravery Awards, presented today in a ceremony at Government House in Wellington.

“Senior Firefighter Mervyn Neil from the Hamilton Fire District has received the New Zealand Bravery Decoration for his actions during the tragic Tamahere coolstore fire in 2008.

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has congratulated the New Zealand Fire Service for their awards at the IPANZ Public Sector Excellence Awards last night.

“The new national fleet of hazmat/command vehicles have been recognised with the Excellence in Networked Government award, and the Overall Prime Minister's Award for Public Sector Excellence.

The trauma and recovery of quake-hit Christchurch is now being recorded for future generations, says Nathan Guy, the Minister Responsible for the National Library.

“The National Library is collecting a record of the quakes and their aftermath through a variety of mediums, including photos, oral history, web harvesting, and collecting material from memorial services and fundraising concerts,” says Mr Guy.