The Plain Language Bill has passed its third reading on 19 October 2022. It is a bill which promotes using plain language within the public sector, including the use of plain language in official documents and websites.
The Bill received Royal Assent on 21 October 2022.
The Plain Language Act requires the public service to avoid unnecessary jargons, acronyms and complicated sentences and instead use simple and plain language in its memos, websites and documents to communicate with the public.
The Act requires use of clear and concise language which the public can easily understand. It aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of the public service by promoting communications by the public service which are clear and accessible to the public.
This was a “common sense change” which will make communications with and access of information within the public sector easier and simpler for New Zealanders, particularly for those who speak English as a second language.
The Bill is based on the United States Plaint Writing Act 2010.