The government are meant to be there to serve everyday people. That includes communicating what they're doing clearly.

The Plain Language Act makes government agencies write documents for the public that are:

  • appropriate to the intended audience
  • clear and well organised.

This government wants to remove this requirement. 

If this Act is removed, it could impact:

  • benefit application forms
  • immigration forms
  • tax information
  • justice information
  • health information.

Here are two examples of what that could look like. Which ones are easier to understand?

Without plain language

With plain language

Pursuant to Section 12A(3) of the Income Tax Act, 2007, please furnish the following information relating to deductions claimed under Section 19(4)(a).

Here's how to list which parts of your income should not be taxed.

These governance systems are perpetually subject to the oscillation of electoral cycles and the reconfiguration of socio-political paradigms, which invariably influence the aggregation of collective interests within the public sphere.

These rules change over time, especially during elections or when people’s needs and beliefs shift.  

 

If you care about government agencies making life easier not harder for people, make a submission saying you want to keep the Plain Language Act as it is. You can make a submission by clicking the link here or the button below:

MAKE A SUBMISSION

 


Submissions are open until 11.59pm on Wednesday 14 May 2025.

Why make a submission?

If this law changes, it will affect a lot of people. As a person living in Aotearoa, you have the right to have a say on this.

All submissions go to a group of people called the Select Committee. They are Members of Parliament who read the submissions and then make a recommendation about whether to make the changes based on what people are saying.

What to say in your submission:

I do NOT support the Plain Language Act Repeal Bill.

Other things you might say:

  • You could talk about times you found information from the government hard to understand
  • This bill would make it harder for people to access information that they need
  • It will make information less accessible, for example for people who are learning English or find English hard to read or understand
  • Government thinks the plain language rules are just extra work**. But disabled people and experts on producing plain language say that the rules are needed or else it doesn't happen and it's too important to leave to chance
  • This bill would remove requirements for clear and simple communication from the government.

How to make a submission:

  1. Click this link to go to the submissions website 
  2. Click the button As an individual
  3. If you want the chance to talk to the Select Committee (usually by video call), click Yes in the section that asks, “Do you wish to make an oral submission to the committee?”
  4. Click Next
  5. You must add
    1. your first name
    2. your last name
    3. your email address
  6. You can add your phone number if you want
  7. Click Next
  8. There are two options here:
    1. Upload your submission in a document
    2. Complete the online submission form
  9. Click Next
  10. Review the submission, then click the Privacy Statement tick box
  11. Click Submit
  12. Share with your friends and whānau.

** A law aimed at removing jargon from the public service is on the line: is it worth saving?