Services

Booking an interpreter

• onsite
• telephone

Interpreters help people communicate when they use different languages (including Sign Language). The interpreter's voice or signs are the link. Often, the interpreter is the only one present who understands everything that is being said. This is a serious responsibility - it calls for trained professionals.

Interpreting New Zealand trains, employs and provides interpreters in some 70 languages.

Our services are accessible 24:7. Call us on 04 384 2849 and tell us

• The language you require
• Onsite or by telephone
• Time and date desired
• Your name and contact details
• The purpose and type of assignment, e.g. medical consultation, interview for income support or business discussion.

Our interpreters work face-to-face (onsite) or by telephone. We travel to different regions of New Zealand and handle calls nationally and internationally.

• Onsite interpreting

  The interpreter goes to where people are communicating face to face. This can be in an office or home setting, a court room, police station, large formal meeting or community consultation session.

• Telephone interpreting

  The interpreter is linked to a telephone conversation to interpret for the parties. The parties may be together or in different parts of the country, or overseas. Video conferencing is also a possibility we can explore with you.

Serving the community

Our services focus on refugee and new migrant groups. Our interpreters are usually native speakers of the languages they interpret. They are sensitive to community customs and needs. We aim to supply a culturally appropriate interpreter for each circumstance. We also provide qualified NZ Sign Language interpreters for the Deaf.

Interpreters are booked by government agencies or private businesses, such as law firms. Their services are generally free to the non-English speaker. This reflects New Zealand's human rights legislation and the health and disability code, which promote peoples' right to effective communication. Our interpreters serve hospitals, health centres, courts, tribunals, police, immigration, housing, and wider local and central government organisations.

We can provide interpreters for embassies, international delegations or special interest groups containing non-English speakers. We also provide interpreting services to private individuals e.g. to consult an accountant or other advisor. Please contact us to talk about special assignments. Quotes are available on request.

Advantages of using a trained interpreter

A trained interpreter will ensure:

• Impartiality
• Confidentiality
• Equal access to services
• Effective communication
• Both sides are supported
• Meaning and emotion are accurately conveyed
• The agency professional and the client control the interview
• An explanation of any factors from either culture which could lead to misunderstanding or lack of desired response

How to use our services

Onsite

• Sit opposite the non-English speaking client
• Position the interpreter at an equal distance from you both
• Talk directly to your client as if you speak the same language
• Speak clearly, with frequent breaks
• Don't interrupt or talk over others
• Don't ask the interpreter to step out of role, e.g. to give an opinion

Telephone

• Use a speaker phone if possible
• Wait while the interpreter is connected to the call
• Talk directly to your client
• Speak clearly, with frequent breaks
• Don't interrupt or talk over others.