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Plain Language Act Repeal Bill

Member in charge: Paul Goldsmith
In short: Arapono’s summary

This bill would cancel a 2022 law that required government agencies to write documents and communications in plain, easy-to-understand language. The government says following that law costs agencies too much time and money, and that agencies can still choose to use plain language on their own without being legally required to. If passed, the law requiring plain language would be removed the day after this bill is signed off.

What this affects

Tap a topic to see how this bill touches it, and the parts of the text that show it.

Removing this law is meant to save government agencies time and money they currently spend on meeting plain language rules.

From the bill

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

Progress through Parliament

Introduced
First Reading
Select committee
Second Reading
Whole House
Third Reading
Royal Assent
Current stage: Second Reading

Have your say

This bill is open for public submissions to the Governance and Administration Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 13 May 2025.

View the official bill on legislation.govt.nz

Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.