Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance

Document name

TREC Pānui – Issue 12

Judges’ comments

The judges described this pānui as a solid example of government communication. It successfully keeps the community informed about cyclone recovery work. The document balances technical information with great design and community accessibility. Its welcoming, transparent, and community-focused tone was praised.

The document has a clear purpose and a logical structure. The judges noted the excellent use of headings and subheadings, which help readers navigate the content. They also praised the short, well-focused paragraphs and simple, familiar language. The team expertly created a tone that is warm, upbeat, and plainspoken without being patronising.

The layout and presentation are excellent. Visual elements like photos, diagrams, and maps support the content well. The judges highlighted how highlighted statistics and progress indicators make key information easy to understand at a glance. Including contractor stories makes the recovery work feel relatable and real.

Media statement

We are proud that the Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Pānui has been recognised in the Best Plain Language Document in the Public Sector category.

In February 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle devastated communities and damaged infrastructure across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. TREC was set up by the NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail to lead the post-disaster recovery of state highways and rail in the region.

Working in the disaster recovery space, it’s important we communicate clearly with communities about our work. Infrastructure recovery takes time, and information can feel overwhelming.

Through the Pānui we give communities a behind-the-scenes look at projects they can’t see from the road and explain complex engineering work in plain language. By showing what’s happening and why it matters, we help to build understanding and patience.

This award recognises the Communications and Engagement team’s hard work in championing plain language across the TREC programme.

Jamie Sitzia
Strategic Communications Manager
Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance