Christian social workers want agencies to use plain language

In a submission to Parliament’s Governance and Administration Select Committee, the NZCCSS said that access to government services and information must be available in an understandable way. This is required by the Plain Language Act.

The select committee is considering the Plain Language Act Repeal Bill, which would remove compliance-based administrative requirements on public service agencies.

The NZCCSS, which includes Catholic Social Services, said in its submission that people experiencing social needs “may have frequent, high stakes contact with government agencies. The language used by government agencies can be very hard to understand. Every day, NZCCSS members support people who feel confused and disempowered by bureaucratic language”.

“Complex government language contributes to people’s marginalisation,” the submission stated. “It prevents them from understanding their rights and advocating for themselves.”

Several examples were given in the submission. Young people can end up homeless on the streets because they can’t navigate Work and Income requirements. Low-wage workers sometimes don’t understand their contractual rights and responsibilities. People in the court system sometimes don’t understand what is happening to them. Older people supported by the health system in the community can feel confused and isolated.

The current Act “is a valuable tool for improving communication for all New Zealanders. It requires agencies to take ownership of the issue and to report on it. This ensures that it stays a priority. Without the Act, plain language will slip off work programmes and into the ‘nice to have’ category”, the submission warned.

The explanatory note to the Bill stated that “the Government’s view is that the activities required by the Act do not directly contribute to the better use of plain language and that enacting legislation is not the most appropriate way to achieve this overarching objective. It is considered that compliance with the Act is not an efficient use of government resources and that the repeal will reduce the compliance costs incurred by public service agencies in meeting the Act’s requirements”.

The NZCCSS submission disputed the cost argument, stating that “successful efforts to improve plain language can result in savings to government by reducing the time and effort staff put into correcting mistakes”. The opportunities afforded by artificial intelligence and software for plain language communication were also noted.

FULL STORY

Plain Language Act Repeal Bill (NZCCSS Submission)

Plain Language Act Repeal Bill 132-1 (2025), Government Bill Explanatory note – New Zealand Legislation (NZ Legislation)