Plain English Awards

celebrate New Zealand's clearest communicators

Winner: People’s Choice — Best Plain English Communication 2018

Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC)

Judge Matt Huntington, left, congratulates winner Troy Churton from the Commission for Financial Capability. Photo by Rebecca McMillan.

Document name

Thinking of Living in a Retirement Village?


Judges’ comment

This document breaks down highly complex, life-changing information into accessible chunks that the average New Zealander can easily absorb. This is an outstanding communication that meets a pressing public need.

The CFFC should be highly commended for this excellent guide about life-changing decisions for so many New Zealanders. Well done.


Media statement

The Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) is delighted to have won the People’s Choice prize in the 2018 Plain English Awards for its booklet Thinking of Living in a Retirement Village?

The booklet was written for retirees and their families, and aimed to strike a balance between conveying important technical information in a way that was easy to understand. The booklet offers practical tips and checklists to help ease a decision-making process that must navigate complicated legal and financial terrain at what can be an emotional time for families.

CFFC’s National Manager of Retirement Villages, Troy Churton, who wrote the booklet, says selling a home and moving into a retirement village has far-reaching consequences for the remainder of a retired person’s life, and affects the estate they will pass on to their loved ones.

“CFFC believes it’s important that intending residents and their families understand the implications clearly and can make a considered decision based on impartial information,” says Churton. “We’re very pleased that the public has found our booklet so helpful.”

Troy Churton

CFFC