Ministry of Social Development / Inland Revenue Department
Winner: Best Plain English Turnaround
Student Loan Contract
Geordie Cassin of MSD and Estelle Lelievre of IRD with major sponsor Paul Brock of Kiwibank
Judges' comment
This rewrite is excellent. It’s easily followed and absorbed and has all the information a contract needs and none that it doesn’t. It successfully aims at its audience — students — rather than addressing contract lawyers and policy writers. A brilliant turnaround and a well-deserved win.
Media statement
The Ministry of Social Development is delighted to win the 2012 'Brainstrain' Turnaround award.
The 'Brainstrain' award in 2006 was a wake-up call for us. We recognised that the Student Loan contract needed revising to better meet students’ needs, and we seized the opportunity to improve it. That same year the Ministry of Social Development and Inland Revenue worked together to refine and simplify the contract. Every year since, the Ministry and Inland Revenue have reviewed the contract to make sure it is up-to-date and easy to understand.
Applying for a student loan is a big commitment and for many young people their first contact with a government department. We want it to be a positive one.
We’re thrilled that the work of both the Ministry of Social Development and Inland Revenue has been recognised with this award. We will continue looking for ways to improve the Student Loan contract so we can provide a better service to students.
Fritha Lindsay
Senior Advisor — Planning, Performance and Governance
Ministry of Social Development