The Ministry of Health
website redesign

About the project

  • I led the planning and creation of high-quality user-focussed content for New Zealand’s Ministry of Health website.

  • I worked closely with business owners and subject matter experts throughout the Ministry to create, review and update content.

The problem

  • The old website had outgrown the platform it was on, and needed to move to a newer content management system.

  • The website also didn’t reflect the new remit of the health system.

  • The website did not have a content strategy and style guidelines weren’t in line with government changes.

Process

  • I created and implemented a content strategy for the website, which aligned to the Ministry’s new role in the reformed Health System.

  • I built close relationships with content owners and subject matter experts and worked with them to review and plan the content.

  • I worked with stakeholders on the IA and primary nav and footer, ensuring it was aligned with top tasks, and key topic and policy areas.

  • I ensured new content guidelines were fit for purpose, user focused, and aligned with the communications standards..

  • While leading the project, I audited hundreds of pages and rewrote many myself, working with subject matter experts.

Before: The Ministry of Health website

Screenshot of the Ministry of Health's website homepage with a blue sky and children playing football in a field.

After: The Ministry of Health website

Ministry of Health website before the changes

Results

  • The new website had a revised set of up-to-date core pages, enabling users to understand the content and quickly navigate to their section.

  • The content rewrites for over 20 sections and over 100 pages meant that content was fresh and relevant for the wider user base.

  • Several out-of-date areas were culled or refined, reducing confusion for users.

  • The revised IA and primary navigation made it easier for users to find what they needed quickly.

  • The content taxonomy was revised, ensuring that the most relevant content was surfaced in search results.

  • Search functionality improved, with a new filter by topic and type capability. This enabled users to find what they needed faster.