Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Plain Language Act 2022

Plain language requirements

9: Relevant documents to use plain language

You could also call this:

“Official papers must be written clearly so everyone can understand them”

You need to make sure that all important documents your agency is responsible for use plain language. This means using words and sentences that are easy to understand.

If you work for a public service agency, you only have to do this for the Commissioner. If you work for a Crown agent, you only have to do this for your responsible Minister. The responsible Minister is defined in the Crown Entities Act 2004.

You don’t have to make every single document perfect, but you should try your best to make them clear and simple.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM4357617.

Topics:
Government and voting > Government departments
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
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Part 2 Plain language requirements

9Relevant documents to use plain language

  1. A reporting agency must take reasonable steps to ensure that all relevant documents for which it is responsible use plain language.

  2. That duty is,—

  3. in the case of a public service agency, a duty that is owed only to the Commissioner; and
    1. in the case of a Crown agent, a duty that is owed only to its responsible Minister (within the meaning of the Crown Entities Act 2004 ).