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Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today congratulated the successful candidates in the 2013 local authority elections.

“There are lots of changes taking place in local government and it’s an exciting time to be involved in decision making,” says Mr Tremain.

“In councils where Mayors and councillors have been re-elected congratulations. Your community clearly values your leadership and it is a chance to continue with existing plans.

With eight days until postal voting closes Local Government Minister Chris Tremain is urging people to have a say in the future of their communities.

“If you haven’t completed your voting papers, get on to it today. And if your papers haven’t arrived contact the local electoral officer at your local council,” says Mr Tremain.

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.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says if people expect to hold their councils accountable for decision making they need to be part of that process and vote in the upcoming local government elections.

“Local government provides vital services such as water, wastewater, roading and community services. Council decision making has a visible impact on the day to day lives of people and it’s important that we have elected councillors to represent the views of the community,” 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.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain is visiting China this week with a particular focus on building a closer working relationship with the China National Tourism Administration.

The Minister will visit Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong from 9-13 September.

“The China-New Zealand tourism relationship is a high priority, with China now our second largest source of overseas visitors,” says Mr Tremain.

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. 

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today announced that a trial of online voting will take place in the 2016 local authority elections.

“Online transactions are the way of the future and the Government is committed to rolling out digital services for New Zealanders,” says Mr Tremain.

“I have asked the Department of Internal Affairs to put together a working party from across government and local authorities and with information technology experts. They will consider the options, costs and security issues involved in online voting.

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. 

Key information on where and how visitors are spending their money is now available to the tourism industry as part of a new data collection launched today by Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain.

The Regional Tourism Estimates, produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, (MBIE) can be accessed via the Ministry’s website.

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.

Local Government Minister Chris Tremain today announced changes that will ensure councils undertake longer-term infrastructure planning, while streamlining other planning requirements.

“While many councils are managing their assets well, law changes are needed to ensure that all councils are taking the long term perspective needed,” says Mr Tremain.

“The Government will make it mandatory for local councils to undertake strategic asset management planning. This is fundamental good practice.

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.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain say parents registering the birth of their baby can also now apply for their child’s IRD number.

A joint service provided by the Department of Internal Affairs and Inland Revenue means parents can get an IRD number for their new baby by simply ticking a box, and supplying a small amount of extra information, on the Birth Registration form.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain has confirmed that the Inquiries Bill will be changed to incorporate lessons learned from the Pike River and Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commissions of Inquiry.

“The Inquiries Bill was put on hold in 2010 while these two inquiries were underway. This allowed for a review of the Bill once the Royal Commissions were completed, says Mr Tremain.

The Government has released an initial action plan from Doug Martin, the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions.

“The Crown Manager’s terms of reference tasked him with providing an action plan within one month. The plan we have now received provides a comprehensive set of actions which will address issues ranging from systems and processes, to staff culture,” says Local Government Minister Chris Tremain.

The Government has decided on changes to the Local Government Act to rein in council development contributions to improve housing affordability.

“We are going to narrow the charges councils can put on new sections, provide an independent objections process and encourage direct provision of necessary infrastructure to get costs down,” Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Chris Tremain say.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says more than 100,000 people have now renewed their passports online as part of a drive by  the Government to change the way New Zealanders deal with government departments.

“This is a great example of what we can achieve with successful IT projects,” says Mr Tremain.

“The online passport renewal service has saved New Zealanders close to $7 million in passport fees since it was launched in November last year.