Department of Internal Affairs

Website name

Govt.nz

Judges’ comments

This site was our clear and unanimous winner! We hope plain-writing professionals and trainers will use it as a good example of plain writing principles.

The team responsible for this website clearly put a lot of thought and effort into making it simple, effective, informative, and accessible. Even pages that are content-heavy are easy to use. Great use of graphic devices and words the intended audience understands. The site’s writing maintains an appropriate balance between friendly and authoritative.

Preliminary work and testing of the site really paid off. Very well done.

Media statement

Govt.nz are thrilled to win Best Plain English Website — Public Sector/NGO at the 2017 Plain English Awards.

‘The Govt.nz team have proven time and time again that they have a passion and a talent to deliver an excellent digital service, accessible to all New Zealanders,’ says Christine Bennett, General Manager, Government Information Services.

The Govt.nz team has been improving the way government interacts with New Zealanders online since the site was launched in July 2014. Information has been pulled together from 44 different agencies, and has been written and presented in the way people search for information — not by government structure.

The team are committed to delivering a website where all people can understand how to get services from government, through a simple and accessible design, and plain English.

Bene Anderson
Senior Product Owner
Government Information Services