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President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister Kuntoro Mangkusubroto and signatories.

New Zealand has a proud tradition of openness and transparency.  We are number one on a range of integrity measures including:

Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne will attend the first Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia Pacific regional meeting in Bali, Indonesia on 6 and 7 May.  The OGP is an international group of countries aimed at fostering good governance and improving relations between citizens and their states, making member governments more open, accountable and responsive to citizens. 

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has announced today that when parliament resumes the government will introduce and pass under urgency legislation removing from sale all remaining so called ‘legal highs’.

“While there has been a substantial reduction in the number of these products available and the number of outlets from which they can be sold, reports of severe adverse reactions continue to be received by the National Poisons Centre and Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring” says Mr Dunne.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne (Presiding Member of the Lottery Grants Board) has today announced that the Lottery World War One Commemorations, Environment and Heritage Committee has approved funding of over $9.1 million towards 80 projects which commemorate World War One.

“The types of projects that have been funded are very diverse in nature, and will help New Zealanders commemorate a significant event in New Zealand’s history”,  Minister Dunne said. 

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Associate Minister Peter Dunne today announced the appointment of 11 members to the inaugural Game Animal Council.

“The new Game Animal Council is about giving hunters of deer, tahr, chamois and pigs an active voice in the management of their recreation. These appointments include a diverse range of interests in hunting and a geographic spread across the country,” Dr Smith says.

The 11 members are:

Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Peter Dunne was saddened to learn today the passing of Beverley Grammer, Presiding Member of the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Committee.

"Over the past 13 years Beverley has served both as a committee member, and more recently as Presiding Member, of a committee which is focused on improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities”, says Mr Dunne.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne have welcomed the Law Commission’s report reviewing the rules that govern how the media report on suspected suicides.

The Government asked the Law Commission to conduct the review examining this issue and to look at the role of social media in discussing suicide.

“I would like to thank the Law Commission for its thorough assessment of the law governing this very delicate subject,” says Mr Borrows.

Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne today announced that Lotto New Zealand has received international recognition for its commitment to providing a safe gaming environment. 

Lotto New Zealand’s responsible gaming programme has been officially certified to Level 3, out of four possible levels, by the World Lottery Association under its Responsible Gaming Framework. 

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has refuted entirely claims by the opposition that Problem Gambling Foundation funding is being cut due to political pressure.

“The Ministry of Health clearly signalled in 2012 that it would go to the market for the provision of gambling harm minimisation services during its public consultation on this issue, and this is the outcome of that process”, says Mr Dunne.

Mr Chairman and distinguished colleagues.

Thank you for the opportunity to address this fifty-seventh meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.  I represent the New Zealand delegation in my capacity as Associate Minister of Health and the Minister responsible for alcohol and drugs policy. I am delighted to again return to Vienna and to express once more New Zealand’s support for the work of the CND and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority’s (PSRA) decision to suspend the interim retail licences for 6 psychoactive substance product retailers in the Hamilton area.

Following a meeting on Wednesday evening with Hamilton MPs Tim Macindoe and David Bennett, who strongly reiterated the need for prompt action in responding to the Hamilton City Council locally approved product policy (LAPP), the PSRA again contacted the Hamilton City Council seeking clarification on retail outlets contravening the new Council plan.

Internal Affairs Minister and Presiding Member of the Lottery Grants Board Hon Peter Dunne has announced the names of the successful applicants to the Lottery Significant Projects Fund.

“The Significant Projects Fund enables major community projects to become a reality, building on the vision of communities, and creating legacies for future generations. I am therefore pleased to announce that over $28 million has been approved to fund important projects across New Zealand, supporting a range of environmental, cultural and sporting projects,” says Mr Dunne

Former rugby league coach and businessman Graham Lowe ONZM, QSM has been appointed to chair a forum which will consider whether further restrictions should be placed on the marketing of alcohol.

The Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship will gather evidence and expert advice about the effectiveness of possible advertising or sponsorship controls.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says Cabinet agreed to the forum in 2011 when the alcohol reform legislation was being considered by Parliament.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Peter Dunne, has announced the appointment of Maggie Burrill and Tina Wehipeihana-Wilson for a further term on the Lottery Grants Board. Mrs Burrill has been appointed for a three-year term and Ms Wehipeihana-Wilson for a two-year term.

The Board is established under the Gambling Act 2003 to distribute the profits of New Zealand lotteries, arising from activities such as Lotto, Lotto Strike, Instant Kiwi and Keno.

Online Government services are proving popular with Kiwi families Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said today.

"By December, an average of 43.3% of measured government service transactions were happening online, up from 29 per cent in June 2012. New Zealanders are increasingly choosing to use Government services digitally.”

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed the release of a consultation paper on Regulations to the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013.

The paper, prepared by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority, seeks feedback to help shape the final regulatory powers alongside the Act and ensure robust, future-proof controls are in place to regulate the psychoactive substance market.

Tena koutou katoa, good morning and thank you for the invitation to speak today at the opening of the 5th International Gambling Conference.

I would like to begin by welcoming all of you, in particular our international guests and distinguished speakers, some of whom have travelled from around the globe to be here.

Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne welcomed the announcement by the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) that it will go live with the RealMe service from mid-February, enabling new customers to prove their identity online.

“The BNZ is to be commended for adopting this innovative new service. RealMe is a core component of the Government’s drive to deliver better, faster online services.  It is good to see the banking sector adopting the technology to give their customers comprehensive online services,” says Mr Dunne.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne says the further deployment today of fire fighters to Australia underscores the close relationship and cooperation our two countries have when dealing with times of national adversity.

The team of 22 fire fighters being sent to Victoria today will be followed by a further contingent on Monday. The New Zealanders will provide much-needed respite to Australian fire forces who have been battling fires for weeks.

Finance Minister Bill English and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne have welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement today that it has completed legislative steps to allow New Zealanders to transfer their retirement savings between complying Australian superannuation schemes and KiwiSaver.

The new arrangements take effect from 1 July, 2013.

Kia ora tātou.  Good morning. 

I would like to thank the Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae for hosting today’s event here at Government House.

Today’s forum was the result of a discussion last year between Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman and myself and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them both for their input in getting this forum to where it is today.

Communities are going to be better supported to cope with the loss of a major employer or industry through an initiative being trialled in the new suicide prevention plan launched by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne today.

‘Unemployment is a known risk factor for suicide and in New Zealand, there is a high co-relation between unemployment and youth suicide, particularly among young Māori males.

“Communities that are particularly dependent on one employer or industry are also particularly vulnerable if that employer or industry fails.

Eight million dollars will be spent over the next four years supporting Māori and Pasifika communities on developing their own solutions to suicide, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said today.

In launching the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2013 to 2016, Mr Dunne said a non-government organisation will be contracted to develop suicide prevention services that will help Maori whanau, hapu, iwi, and Pasifika families and communities prevent suicide.

An $8 million four-year programme to strengthen Māori and Pasifika communities; support for anyone who loses a family member to suicide and a pilot programme supporting small communities losing a major industry or employer are among 30 initiatives in the new national suicide prevention plan launched by Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne today.