Plain English Awards

celebrate New Zealand's clearest communicators

People’s Choice — Worst ‘Brainstrain’ Communication 2017

Inland Revenue

Andrew Stott, IRD, with Lynda

Andrew Stott, Inland Revenue, with Lynda Harris from Write Limited


Document name

Inland Revenue direct debit conditions


Judges’ comment

This is supposedly an explanation of the conditions under which Inland Revenue has authority to accept direct debits — we think!

This is a prime example of a document in need of a good dose of plain English. The headings bear no relation to what an ordinary customer might understand.

Paragraphs are numbered as a legal document would be. Not at all customer-friendly.


Acceptance speech

Thanks to Andrew Stott from Inland Reveue for accepting this award in good humour!

Recorded by Andrew Stott
Group Manager, Marketing & Communications