Plain Language Awards

Celebrate the stories of our clearest business communicators

Winner: Plain English Champion — Best Individual or Team 2015

Careers New Zealand — Online Content team

Careers New Zealand


Judges’ comment

This entry clearly describes the work and effort you’ve made internally to sustain a focus on plain English, as well as the beneficial effect it’s having for users of Careers NZ’s services.

We commend the systems and processes you’ve set up to support a high standard of written communication, your commitment to testing new content on users, and the notice you’ve taken of solicited and unsolicited feedback.

We liked the language you’ve used on the website. It’s easy to understand and uses words the audience uses without sounding silly.

The online content team is clearly driving plain English at Careers NZ. Not only has the Careers NZ website been a model plain English website for over 5 years, the work of the online content team is affecting the entire organisation. Plain English is now successfully embedded in the organisation’s DNA.

We get the sense that plain English would thrive at Careers NZ even if key members of the team left tomorrow.


Media statement

The Careers New Zealand online content team is excited to be a winner in the 2015 Plain English Awards. It’s great to be recognised for our ongoing commitment to plain English — our rigorous quality assurance processes take time and we are proud of the results. This placement has made us keener than ever to strengthen and expand our plain English culture.

2015 Awards winners and finalists