Plain English Awards

The Plain Language Awards help to bring plain language into common use in Aotearoa by celebrating organisations that communicate clearly.

The WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust is fundraising to support the 2022 Plain Language Awards, leading up to the Awards ceremony on 27 October. All our donors will be acknowledged on our website and at the Awards ceremony — we really appreciate your support to help us continue to build awareness of the benefits of plain language.

By supporting the Awards, you’re helping New Zealand become a better place where everyone has access to the information they need, presented in a way they can understand. We believe clear writing is a fundamental element of democracy — and a human right.

Plain language allows people to participate in government, commercial, legal, financial, and leisure activities more effectively because they can understand the information presented to them. Plain language also has proven benefits for organisations that use it in their communications. Organisations that use plain language experience significant cost savings, more streamlined processes, and happier staff and customers.

Through the efforts of the entrants, judges, and organisers of the Plain Language Awards, people are more aware of the benefits of plain language. Customers are demanding clearer communication, and organisations are changing the way they write.

The Awards are back for 2022 with the theme of Story. This year, entrants will be able to share their own video stories about plain language projects that have made a difference. We hope the resource library of videos will inspire others to start their plain language journey.

Read about past Awards winners at www.plainlanguageawards.org.nz/winners