Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management—People's Choice—Best Plain English Document

Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management with their trophy

Media Release

24 September

The Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, John Hamilton, said that

the Ministry was delighted to win the people's choice award.

We produced the "Drop Cover and Hold" fact sheet because people were confused by misleading

information in e-mails originating from a self-professed rescue expert in the United States. The so

called "Triangle of Life" e-mails contradicted advice given in New Zealand and most of the world.

We received queries from the public, schools, media, Citizens Advice Bureaus (CAB) and Members

of Parliament, and needed to quell public concern.

The fact sheet was developed in collaboration with the New Zealand Society of Earthquake Engineering,

the Building Research Association of New Zealand, GNS Science and the Earthquake Commission.

Copies were sent to every person and organisation that contacted the Ministry and we also disseminated

copies through the media, CABs, local authorities, websites and education sector publications.

Public feedback about the fact sheet was highly positive and this award is well deserved recognition for

the people who made it happen.

2008 WriteMark