Articles tagged with Transparency
Government Bill Enhances Focus on Core Council Services for Better Value
2 weeks ago | 113 viewsThe Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill aims to refocus councils on core services like roading, infrastructure, water, and waste, addressing public frustration over rising rates and declining services. Minister Simon Watts emphasizes the need for discipline, transparency, and performance improvement to benefit ratepayers. The Bill includes reforms such as prioritizing core services in managing finances, introducing new financial performance measures, and enhancing transparency and accountability, with the goal of delivering better value for money and avoiding new taxes for local authorities.
Tags: Government councils core services infrastructure rates transparency accountability financial focus local government Simon Watts62 percent fewer scam texts reported after Internal Affairs crackdown
1 month ago | 344 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has made significant progress in tackling scams in New Zealand, with a 62 per cent drop in reports of SMS scams in 2024 from 2023, following the Department’s investigations into scammers. The Department’s 2024 Digital Messaging Transparency Report, published this week, details some of the actions the Department has taken to catch people perpetrating scams, including by conducting search warrants and seizing equipment. “Scams cause serious financial and emotional harm, often preying on vulnerable people in our communities.
Tags: Auckland Brooke van velden Department Department of internal affairs Digital Government Messaging transparency report New zealand Scott simpson Van veld Zealand