New Zealand Government Web Standards

16.4 Minimum content within Main agency web site

New standards released

The New Zealand Web Standards 2.0 were released in March 2009 and replace the previous version, the New Zealand Government Web Standards 1.0 (below).  See Meeting the standards for more information.

The Standard

16.4 A homepage in the 'Main' agency web site must have "About Us" or "About <Agency Name>".

This can be a content header or a link to a page titled "About Us" or "About <Agency Name>".

Mandatory content within the "About Us" section or the "About <Agency Name>" page contains (as a minimum):

  1. agency purpose
  2. a list of Minister(s) (or Mayor) relevant to the agency
  3. agency accountability documents
  4. a list of responsibilities for each of the relevant Ministers. The primary objective is defining what the ministers do for the agency.
  5. a list of links to the biographies (on http://www.beehive.govt.nz or equivalent) for each of the relevant Ministers.
  6. a list of legislation or by-laws for which the agency has lead responsibility

Note: 'Main' agency web site is defined in the Glossary of Key Concepts.

Guide to this standard

This constitutes minimal requirements regarding the content contained within or under "About Us"/"About <Agency Name>". Other relevant information about the agency can also be on this page or in this section. Agencies should consider placing links to other primary sources of information relevant to the agency’s functions (such as clearly defining the services provided by the agency).

It should always be clear which organisation is accountable for the site.

The definition of 'homepage' for NZ government agency web sites is in the Glossary of Key Concepts.

Rationale for this standard

Provides consistency across all NZ Government web sites – users will find these links and/or sections on all such sites and thus the relevant information therein.