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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:

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

$160,000 for a new feasibility study will help evaluate options for the Waitangi wharf in the Chatham Islands, says Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.

“The Waitangi Wharf is the lifeblood of these islands, connecting over 600 local residents with the mainland and supporting important trade in fisheries and agriculture.

New Budget funding of $27.6 million over the next two years for igovt services will help deliver better public services more efficiently.

“The igovt services provide an easy and secure way of accessing government services online and proving identity,” Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy says.

“Using one log-on means people no longer have to remember multiple details for different sites, and being able to verify identity online saves the hassle of having to show multiple forms of ID to agencies.

Internal Affairs Minister Hon Nathan Guy has announced the appointment of Tony Mossman as a Member of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission Board.

“Mr Mossman is a Havelock North-based chartered accountant and Director. His accounting skills and long involvement in community work will be an asset to the work of the Lotteries Commission.

“I want to thank Chris Curley who has now finished his term on the Commission.

\Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has announced the 175 public events that have won a share of $9.48 million in funding from the NZ 2011 Festival Lottery Fund Committee.

“A huge variety of events and activities all over New Zealand, which are part of the REAL New Zealand Festival, have received funding which will help communities play a major part in the Rugby World Cup 2011. This is the largest ever celebration for this country and the first time a Rugby World Cup host nation has staged a nationwide festival alongside the Tournament.

The New Zealand USAR team have been welcomed home from Japan by Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy today, after their first ever overseas deployment ended this weekend.

"I'm proud of this team, many of whom have gone straight from working in Christchurch to help Japan in their time of need. It shows the professionalism and dedication of our rescue workers.

"After the Christchurch earthquake, Japan had no hesitation in offering help and I'm glad New Zealand could do the same.

The Minister Responsible for the New Zealand Fire Service, Nathan Guy, has thanked the last of the international USAR teams who have left Christchurch today.

“The Queensland Fire and Rescue Task Force have left Christchurch today, and we are deeply grateful to them and all the other international USAR teams who helped us in our time of need.

“At its peak, around 600 USAR personnel were based in Latimer Square in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. This included foreign personnel from Australia, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, China, USA and UK.

Lotto customers have been thanked for their generosity in buying tickets for last Saturday’s special draw by the Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy, which raised $8,248,300 for the people of Christchurch.

The New Zealand Lotteries Commission has today formally transferred this money to the Lottery Grants Board, which is chaired by Mr Guy. The money will now be passed onto to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal to help the community recover.

Half of all Lotto sales for this coming week will be donated to help with Christchurch earthquake relief efforts, Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission have announced tonight.

“Under section 245 of the Gambling Act 2003, New Zealand Lotteries can promote a ‘Special Purpose Lottery’ for a community purpose. This requires a written direction to the Board from the Minister of Internal Affairs and I have now signed this.

The Minister Responsible for the New Zealand Fire Service, Nathan Guy, has been on the ground visiting firefighters in Christchurch today to observe recovery efforts.

”Firefighters and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams are well trained and prepared for emergencies like this, especially after the September 4th quake when valuable lessons were learnt. They swung into action immediately after this quake and have been working non-stop ever since.

The Minister Responsible for the National Library, Archives New Zealand and Internal Affairs has rubbished claims by Labour MP Grant Robertson that the integration of the three departments will save only $165,000 a year, putting the correct figure at closer to $2 million.

“Mr Robertson is using outdated figures,” says Mr Guy.

“The Government invested a one-off $2.5 million in the integration, and from next year onwards savings will be around $2 million annually.