Training

Interpreting New Zealand trains and employs interpreters in some 70 languages. Our interpreters work in person (onsite) or by telephone. They may travel to different regions of New Zealand and handle calls from all parts of the country and overseas.

We recruit people who are very proficient speakers of English and another language. We particularly need languages spoken by refugees and new migrants to New Zealand.

To train as an interpreter, you need to be

• generally available during normal working hours
• a NZ citizen or holder of Permanent Residence status
• living in NZ for 18 months or more
• well educated, with a broad general knowledge
• keen to learn and expand your horizons
• mature and of high moral integrity.

Introductory in-house courses are run six-monthly. In Wellington, they consist of 17 weeks (approximately 50 hours) of evening and Saturday morning classes and language laboratory work. In Christchurch they are presented in 5 weekend modules plus site visits. They are delivered by NAATI-qualified trainers with extensive teaching and interpreting experience. A token charge (currently of $75), is made. A written test and oral assessment take place at the end of the course. The training programme is specifically designed as in-house training for interpreters who will work for Interpreting New Zealand.

To apply for the next Wellington based course starting on 7 March 2011, please complete the online application form or download a hardcopy (Word or PDF) and return by 31 January 2011.

To apply for the next Christchurch based course starting on 28 August 2010, please complete the online application form click here or download a hardcopy (Word or PDF) and return by 23 July 2010. If you have any questions, please read our "Notice to Applicants" (Word or PDF ) or email atena.hensch@interpret.org.nz or call 03 372 9311.

Experienced interpreters with existing qualifications, desirably NAATI or Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting, are encouraged to contact us at any time of the year.

Keeping on learning

Interpreters never finish learning. Interpreting New Zealand runs a selection of short professional development courses each year for qualified interpreters who are contracted to us. Subjects include medical conditions and treatments, ethics and behaviours, and the functions of enforcement agencies. Interpreters are trained for the demanding area of Court interpreting in a series of advanced courses.

Our current programme is regularly updated. You can register for courses by emailing us from this site.

Interpreting New Zealand is committed to maintaining high standards nationally and internationally. Our interpreters are assisted financially and offered preparatory courses to seek external accreditation from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). We actively reward and recognise NAATI-qualified interpreters. These policies also apply to NZ Sign Language interpreters with comparable qualifications. We encourage interpreters to join the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters (NZSTI).

Interpreter Trainees Wanted: Interpreting Wellington

Are you a proficient speaker of English and another language? We need native speakers of a wide range of Asian, African and Pacific languages. We particularly seek speakers of Burmese (esp. Chin & Karen), Cantonese, Somali and Swahili. You should be:

• available during normal working hours
• a NZ citizen or holder of Permanent Residence status
• living in NZ for 18 months or more.

Selected applicants will be offered training at our Wellington Office. Successful trainees will be employed on a casual basis at an excellent rate of pay.

The next training course will start on 07 March 2011

For more information email: info@interpret.org.nz or call (04) 916 2462. To apply online, click here. Applications close Monday 31 January 2011.

Interpreter Trainees Wanted: Interpreting Canterbury

Are you a proficient speaker of English and another language? We need native or highly proficient speakers of a wide range of Asian, African
and Pacific languages. You should be:

• available during normal working hours
• a NZ citizen or holder of Permanent Residence status
• living in NZ for 18 months or more.

Selected applicants will be offered training at our Christchurch Office. Successful trainees will be employed on a casual basis at an excellent
rate of pay.

For more information, please download the Notice to Applicants (Word format or PDF format) or email atena.hensch@interpret.org.nz or call 03 372 9311.

To download the application please select Word format or PDF format, or to apply online click here.

Applications close Monday 23 July 2010.