Displaying 1 - 24 of 161 results.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today announced that the Department of Internal Affairs has appointed a ten-person working party to look at the feasibility of online voting.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Local Government

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

Local councils will be encouraged and assisted to work more efficiently under new legislation that passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Local Government Minister Chris Tremain.

A key part of the new legislation addresses one of the contributing factors to housing affordability.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Local Government

Local government Minister Chris Tremain today welcomed the release of the Auditor-General’s inquiry into the Mangawhai waste water scheme as a step forward in restoring local democracy in Kaipara.

“The report identifies many failures in the governance and management of the council but does not identify any case of fraud or illegal activity.  I have asked my officials to take a detailed look at the report to identify what further actions (if any) should be taken,” says Mr Tremain.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Local Government

Local government Minister Chris Tremain today welcomed the release of the Auditor-General’s inquiry into the Mangawhai waste water scheme as a step forward in restoring local democracy in Kaipara.

“The report identifies many failures in the governance and management of the council but does not identify any case of fraud or illegal activity. I have asked my officials to take a detailed look at the report to identify what further actions (if any) should be taken,” says Mr Tremain.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Local Government

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain will travel to Los Angeles today to represent the Government at The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug world premiere.

“The world premiere in L.A provides the opportunity to build on the success of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and first of the Hobbit trilogy, and strengthen the New Zealand-Americas tourism relationship,”  says  Mr Tremain.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Tourism

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain today officially opened the West Coast Wilderness Trail in Kūmara.

The 136 km West Coast Wilderness cycling trial travels from Greymouth in the north, thorough Kūmara and Hokitika and then to Ross in the south.

“The local community have totally got behind the construction of this trail.  It’s a joint effort between the Government and local councils and offers exciting opportunities for tourism on the West Coast,” says Mr Tremain. 

  • Chris Tremain
  • Tourism

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Internal Affairs
  • State Services

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says new financial prudence regulations announced today will tighten financial reporting, lift transparency and encourage excellence in local government. 

“The regulations will provide a standardised way of financial reporting which will encourage council efficiency and improve accountability to ratepayers. We need to learn from issues that have had an impact on ratepayers and residents in Kaipara,” says Mr Tremain. 

  • Chris Tremain
  • Local Government

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

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. 

  • Maurice Williamson
  • Chris Tremain
  • Bill English
  • Land Information
  • Internal Affairs
  • Finance

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

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.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Internal Affairs
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain today welcomed the introduction of China Southern Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner to New Zealand.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will replace the A330 currently used on the daily service between Guangzhou and Auckland.

“New Zealand has had a thriving relationship with China Southern Airlines since they entered the New Zealand market in April 2011. Today’s arrival of the Dreamliner is a testament to their continued commitment to New Zealand,” says Mr Tremain.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Tourism

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain today announced a funding package to support the ongoing recovery of the tourism sector in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.

$764,000 will be provided to the Canterbury Tourism Partnership by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The Christchurch City Council and Christchurch International Airport will also be contributing $500,000 each to the Partnership.

Minister Tremain made the announcement after meeting this morning with Christchurch Mayor-elect Lianne Dalziel.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Tourism

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says Crown Manager Doug Martin is steering Christchurch’s building consent processes in the right direction.

“I met with Doug Martin today and have been very impressed with the progress being made.  A programme of work is well underway to ensure the Council can regain accreditation as a Building Consent  Authority,” says Mr Tremain.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Local Government

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

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

The Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill which provides powers for local boards to delegate responsibilities allocated to them has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

Local Government minister Chris Tremain says the Bill puts into statute transitional regulations that were due to expire on 31 October 2013.

“The Bill continues the provisions which give local boards the powers to operate more efficiently and effectively without sacrificing community choice and identity at a local level,” says Mr Tremain.   

  • Chris Tremain
  • Local Government

Local Government  Minister Chris Tremain says he will be instructing a working party to explore what would be needed for online voting to be fully introduced in the next local  body elections.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Local Government