Clear communication under threat: WriteMark’s response to the Plain Language Act Repeal Bill

New Zealand’s Plain Language Act came into effect on 21 April 2023. It's now facing repeal after just 2 years. Image by Claudette Wicks / Unsplash licence

We are shocked at the news that New Zealand’s Plain Language Act is likely to be repealed. The legislation was internationally acclaimed by plain language experts around the world. It aligned with global trends towards clarity, as well as the ISO Plain Language Standard and our own WriteMark® Plain Language Standard.

Repeal of the Act risks further loss of confidence and trust in government.

While the current implementation of the Act has faced challenges from inadequate support, the solution is to strengthen the Act’s implementation, not repeal it. Removing this legislation without a robust alternative risks reverting to a system where clear communication is left to chance — a step backward for New Zealand’s democracy and public service.

Evidence from our 35 years of plain language work and advocacy in New Zealand shows that without clear standards and accountability, government communications easily default to mediocrity. Inconsistent quality and effectiveness become the norm, people report difficult experiences with government agencies, and participation in democracy is compromised.

Learning from the evidence

The Government’s assumption that writers will naturally communicate clearly is not supported by evidence. Effective communication requires strong expectations, consistent standards and training, clear accountability measures, and adequate resources and support.

Standards like the WriteMark and the ISO Standard go beyond what the Act proscribed, but align with the same principles of plain language. Enshrining these principles in legislation could have been a powerful tool to improve government communication.

Plain Language Officers and clarity advocates have done a valiant job despite the odds. They have relied on the existence of the Act behind them to make progress. Without it, some will have no voice.

International evidence from Norway’s public sector and from other countries proves the significant benefits of implementing plain language initiatives at a government level.

Documented benefits include:

• many improvements in public services
• better financial stewardship of taxpayer money
• significantly reduced complaints and inquiries
• substantial savings from more efficient operations.

The proposed repeal is a slap in the face for all those community groups and individuals who made submissions on the original Plain Language Bill. Many submissions describe distressing examples of disadvantage, financial harm, frustration, and the feeling of being defeated by incompetent or uncaring bureaucracy.

Poor writing is a problem. The Plain Language Act, properly implemented, is the answer.

Read Write Group’s response to the Bill

Interested in reading more about the case against repealing New Zealand’s Plain Language Act?

Read the article by Write Group Chief Executive Lynda Harris