Week: 9 October - 15 October | 7C1 Global Studies

Section outline

How to write a Government Policy

Term	Definition	Example Sentence
policy (noun)	a set of rules or guidelines that govern the actions and decisions of an organization or government	The school has a policy of no cell phones in the classroom.
procedure (noun)	a series of steps or actions that are followed in order to achieve a particular result	Before surgery, the doctor explained the procedure to the patient.
process (noun)	a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular result	The manufacturing process involves several stages.
engaging (adjective)	interesting and enjoyable; able to capture and hold attention	The teacher used engaging activities to keep the students interested in the lesson.
readability (noun)	the quality of being easy to read and understand	The book was praised for its readability and clear explanations.

How to write a Government Policy
If you want to write a new government policy in New Zealand, there are some important things to keep in mind. First, you need to prepare policies, procedures, and processes [1]. These help make sure that everyone knows what to do and that everything is fair and safe. You can read the licensing criteria booklet to see what policies are required [1]. It's also a good idea to write drafts of other policies and procedures that you think would be useful [1]. You should also think about how you will make sure your service follows the rules and have documents to show this [1]. You can download a form to apply for a license on the Ministry of Education's website [1].

When you write your policy, it's important to tell a good story [2]. This means knowing who you are writing for and how to engage with them [2]. You should also set the scene and give important details [2]. Use plain language, short sentences, and active voice [2]. Make sure you have a clear conclusion and recommendations [2]. There are resources available to help you write your policy, like the Policy Project's guide and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's masterclasses [2].

In your policy, you should include key project information, like your objectives and how you plan to achieve them [3]. You should also have a sourcing plan that explains how you will choose suppliers or providers [3]. It's important to include any exceptions or exemptions to the rules and explain why you need them [3]. You should also describe the contract you will use and how it will be managed [3]. Don't forget to include the risks associated with the project and how you will manage them [3]. Finally, make sure you have a realistic timetable for the procurement process [3].

Remember, it's important to use plain language when writing your policy [4]. This means using words and sentences that are easy to understand [4]. Plain language helps make information more accessible and transparent [4]. There are online tools available to help you improve the readability of your content [4].

To develop your policy, you can refer to the Cabinet Manual and the step-by-step guide from the Parliamentary Counsel Office [6]. These resources provide information on the principles and procedures for developing government-initiated legislation [6]. There is also expert support and guidance available from the Parliamentary Counsel Office, the Legislation Design and Advisory Committee, and the Ministry of Justice [6]. It's also a good idea to release an exposure draft of your legislation for consultation before it is made or introduced to Parliament [6]. This can help identify and resolve any problems [6]. Finally, departments are required to publish a disclosure statement for most government Bills and Supplementary Order Papers [6].

Writing a new government policy can be a big task, but with the right information and resources, you can do it!

[1] Preparing policies, procedures and processes – Education in New Zealand
https://www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/running-a-service/starting-a-service/starting-a-centre-based-ece-service/new-cd-page/
[2] Communicating policy advice | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)
https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/policy-project/policy-advice-themes/communicating-policy-advice
[3] Writing a procurement plan | New Zealand Government Procurement
https://www.procurement.govt.nz/procurement/guide-to-procurement/plan-your-procurement/writing-a-procurement-plan/
[4] Plain language | NZ Digital government
https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/content-design-guidance/writing-style/plain-language/
[5] Our style guide - Data.govt.nz
https://www.data.govt.nz/about/about-data-govt-nz/our-style-guide/
[6] Turning policy into legislation | The Treasury New Zealand
https://www.treasury.govt.nz/information-and-services/regulation/turning-policy-legislation

Answer questions on Slides presentation in Google Classroom.

Complete one Bus Stop activity per lesson.

How to write a Government Policy
If you want to write a new government policy in New Zealand, there are some important things to keep in mind. First, you need to prepare policies, procedures, and processes [1]. These help make sure that everyone knows what to do and that everything is fair and safe. You can read the licensing criteria booklet to see what policies are required [1]. It's also a good idea to write drafts of other policies and procedures that you think would be useful [1]. You should also think about how you will make sure your service follows the rules and have documents to show this [1]. You can download a form to apply for a license on the Ministry of Education's website [1]. When you write your policy, it's important to tell a good story [2]. This means knowing who you are writing for and how to engage with them [2]. You should also set the scene and give important details [2]. Use plain language, short sentences, and active voice [2]. Make sure you have a clear conclusion and recommendations [2]. There are resources available to help you write your policy, like the Policy Project's guide and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's masterclasses [2]. In your policy, you should include key project information, like your objectives and how you plan to achieve them [3]. You should also have a sourcing plan that explains how you will choose suppliers or providers [3]. It's important to include any exceptions or exemptions to the rules and explain why you need them [3]. You should also describe the contract you will use and how it will be managed [3]. Don't forget to include the risks associated with the project and how you will manage them [3]. Finally, make sure you have a realistic timetable for the procurement process [3]. Remember, it's important to use plain language when writing your policy [4]. This means using words and sentences that are easy to understand [4]. Plain language helps make information more accessible and transparent [4]. There are online tools available to help you improve the readability of your content [4]. To develop your policy, you can refer to the Cabinet Manual and the step-by-step guide from the Parliamentary Counsel Office [6]. These resources provide information on the principles and procedures for developing government-initiated legislation [6]. There is also expert support and guidance available from the Parliamentary Counsel Office, the Legislation Design and Advisory Committee, and the Ministry of Justice [6]. It's also a good idea to release an exposure draft of your legislation for consultation before it is made or introduced to Parliament [6]. This can help identify and resolve any problems [6]. Finally, departments are required to publish a disclosure statement for most government Bills and Supplementary Order Papers [6]. Writing a new government policy can be a big task, but with the right information and resources, you can do it! [1] Preparing policies, procedures and processes – Education in New Zealand https://www.education.govt.nz/early-childhood/running-a-service/starting-a-service/starting-a-centre-based-ece-service/new-cd-page/ [2] Communicating policy advice \| Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/policy-project/policy-advice-themes/communicating-policy-advice [3] Writing a procurement plan \| New Zealand Government Procurement https://www.procurement.govt.nz/procurement/guide-to-procurement/plan-your-procurement/writing-a-procurement-plan/ [4] Plain language \| NZ Digital government https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/content-design-guidance/writing-style/plain-language/ [5] Our style guide - Data.govt.nz https://www.data.govt.nz/about/about-data-govt-nz/our-style-guide/ [6] Turning policy into legislation \| The Treasury New Zealand https://www.treasury.govt.nz/information-and-services/regulation/turning-policy-legislation