Ministry of Justice appoints Saatchi & Saatchi NZ to help with comms on Cannabis Legalisation and End of Life Choice referendums

Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand has been appointed by the Ministry of Justice to support the public information programme on Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill and the End of Life Choice Act referendums.

The agency will assist with delivery of a ‘sign posting’ programme to ensure voters are aware of the sources of factual, impartial information.

The appointment of Saatchi & Saatchi to deliver the public information programme followed a competitive procurement process closed to five pre-identified suppliers on the All-of-Government (AoG) Advertising Panel.

This approach met the Ministry’s obligations under both the Ministry and Government procurement policies, expectations and principles.

Paul Wilson (pictured above), managing director of Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand, said that the agency is pleased to have secured the opportunity to work on the national public information programme for the Referendums: “We are proud to be working with the Ministry of Justice team on referendums of such national significance. These are important questions that have the potential to shape our country for generations to come, so ensuring the public has access to factual, impartial information is critical. It is a privilege to be entrusted with this project.”

Says Caroline Greaney, acting deputy secretary of policy, the Ministry of Justice: “Referendums will be held at this year’s General Election on the draft Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill and the End of Life Choice Act.

“The Ministry of Justice has been tasked with delivering a public information programme to ensure the voting public have access to factual, impartial information, on which to make their decisions in the Referendums.

“The team at Saatchi & Saatchi is experienced in developing and delivering creative, targeted and highly effective communication programmes, for a broad range of clients and services. They have demonstrated experience in working with Government agencies to provide factual, impartial public information programmes.

“We’re unable, at this time, to confirm the budget amount allocated for this work as it could prejudice confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials.”