Plain Language Awards

The Plain Language Awards is a specialist communications initiative based in Wellington, New Zealand, that focuses on promoting and celebrating clear, effective public communication. While the organization is best known for its annual awards program, its core services extend far beyond recognition ceremonies. The trust behind the awards offers a range of services centered on plain language advocacy, including plain language testing and user-testing standards, plain language training for organizations, and document clarity assessments. They also provide sponsorship opportunities for businesses and public sector entities, and manage a comprehensive judging process across 13 awards categories. Through its work, the Plain Language Awards actively supports the plain language movement in both New Zealand and Australia.

Who They Help

The Plain Language Awards primarily serves public sector organizations, financial services firms, and non-profits that need to improve the clarity of their written communications. Their work is especially relevant for government departments and public administration bodies, as the organization played a key role in advocating for New Zealand's Plain Language Act 2022. They also assist businesses in customer engagement, helping them write website content, documents, and policies that are easy for the public to understand. The awards categories themselves reflect these audiences, with recognition for best communication in the public sector, financial services, and non-profit sectors. The organization’s judging process involves local and international experts who evaluate entries based on plain language criteria, ensuring that winners demonstrate genuine clarity and accessibility.

Their Approach

The Plain Language Awards takes a multi-faceted approach to advancing plain language. At its core is the annual awards program, which includes categories such as Best Communication (nominated by the public) and the humorous Brainstrain award, which highlights confusing communications. Beyond the awards, the organization provides plain language training and testing services to help organizations improve their documents before entering the competition. They maintain a strong focus on citizen rights, believing that clear communication is essential for public awareness and democracy. The trust also publishes a newsletter and engages with the plain language community through events, sponsorship inquiries, and advocacy work. Their approach is grounded in practical, measurable outcomes—such as user-testing standards and document clarity improvements—rather than abstract ideals.

Location and Credentials

Based in Wellington, New Zealand, the Plain Language Awards was founded in 2005 by communications expert Lynda Harris. The organization is run by the WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust, a non-profit body dedicated to raising awareness about clear writing. Over nearly two decades, the Plain Language Awards has become a key institution in New Zealand and Australia for recognizing excellence in plain language communication. Their advocacy efforts contributed directly to the passage of New Zealand's Plain Language Act 2022, a landmark piece of legislation that mandates clear communication from government agencies. The trust’s judges include local and international experts, giving the awards credibility and a broad perspective. The organization’s headquarters in Wellington places it at the center of New Zealand’s public policy and communications landscape.

Services Offered

• Plain language training and workshops
• Plain language testing and user-testing standards
• Document clarity assessments and audits
• Website clarity evaluations
• Sponsorship and partnership opportunities
• Annual awards program with 13 categories
• Judging process with local and international experts
• Newsletter and community engagement
• Advocacy for plain language legislation
• Public awareness campaigns for clear communication

The Plain Language Awards is a strong fit for government agencies, financial institutions, non-profits, and any organization that values clear, accessible communication. Whether you are looking to improve your documents, gain recognition for your plain language efforts, or support the broader plain language movement, the trust provides practical tools and a respected platform. Organizations in Wellington and across New Zealand and Australia will find their services particularly relevant, especially in light of the Plain Language Act 2022. For those committed to citizen rights, customer engagement, and public administration excellence, the Plain Language Awards offers both recognition and resources to achieve those goals.