Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Plain Language Act 2022

Plain language requirements

11: Plain language officers

You could also call this:

“People who help government use easy-to-understand words”

Your government agency must choose one or more people to be plain language officers. These officers can be from inside or outside the agency. Their job is to help the agency follow the Plain Language Act.

The plain language officers have three main tasks:

  1. They teach the people who work at the agency about what the Plain Language Act says they need to do.

  2. They listen to what members of the public say about how well the agency is following the Plain Language Act.

  3. They make sure the agency does everything the Plain Language Act says it should do.

These officers are important because they help make sure your government agency uses language that is easy for everyone to understand.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS458912.

Topics:
Government and voting > Government departments
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
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10: Plain language guidance must be issued, or

“The law says someone must make a guide to help people write clearly”

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12: Reporting agency must report to Commissioner, or

“You need to tell the language boss how you follow the easy-to-read rules each year”

Part 2 Plain language requirements

11Plain language officers

  1. A reporting agency must appoint as plain language officers for the agency 1 or more individuals (within or outside the agency) whose responsibilities include—

  2. educating agency employees regarding the requirements of this Act:
    1. dealing with feedback from the public about the agency’s compliance with this Act:
      1. ensuring that the agency complies with this Act.