New standards and accreditation requirements from 1 July 2024

Purpose of standards and accreditation

Two reviews undertaken by MBIE and DIA in 2016 and 2015 respectively found that while Government-funded interpreting and translation services are available in New Zealand, a number of barriers and gaps prevent equitable access to public services and information for people with limited English language proficiency.

The reviews recommended introducing interpreting standards in New Zealand to improve the quality and consistency of the interpreting services provided to people who need to use interpreters so they can interact safely and effectively with New Zealand government agencies.

After considerable research, it was decided to adopt the National Accreditation Authority for Translator and Interpreters (NAATI) system of interpreter standards and associated accreditation for those doing interpreting work in the New Zealand Public Sector.

As a result, members of the New Zealand interpreter workforce will need to be credentialed or Working Towards NAATI (WTN) as meeting the appropriate NAATI standards, if they wish to continue providing interpreting services to New Zealand public sector agencies from 1 July 2024.

MBIE and DIA worked with interpreters, other government agencies using interpreting services, Universities and Technical Institutes who deliver interpreter training, the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters (NZSTI) and NAATI to develop the package to support New Zealand interpreters to transition to the NAATI accreditation system.

Key goal

The goal at the outset of the LAS project was that interpreters working in the New Zealand public sector will be NAATI credentialed or working towards their NAATI credential.  From 1 July 2024:

• those interpreters for languages for which no test is available will be “Recognised Practising Interpreters”;
• all other interpreters will be either “Certified Provisional Interpreters” or “Certified Interpreters”, depending on their level of skill, qualifications and experience and availability of testing;
• those interpreters still working towards achieving their NAATI credential will be known as WTN interpreters until they achieve their credential. These interpreters can be used if no credentialed interpreter is available.

Work has been done to ensure that the New Zealand environment is appropriately reflected in the training and development of interpreters working here. A free but mandatory course, “Interpreting in Aotearoa New Zealand: The Public Sector Context”, has been made available. Interpreters need to log into their NAATI Learn account to access it.

Training courses

The Interpreter Standards Transition Support (ISTS) package funded course fees for individual interpreters. This reflected the importance placed on equipping interpreters wishing to apply for NAATI accreditation with the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to deliver interpreting services at the required standard. 
Every person wishing to gain a NAATI credential will need to have completed prerequisite training or a qualification. These are detailed on the NAATI website.

Pre-requisite courses that are endorsed by NAATI as teaching and assessing the skills and knowledge required by the translating and interpreting profession are available on the NAATI website. The website is updated regularly.

Current endorsed qualifications(external link) – NAATI website

Many professions generally require additional learning, testing and certification to be completed after achieving academic qualifications. This is to ensure consistent standards are being met across the sector.  Transitioning the New Zealand interpreter workforce into the NAATI Certification System will support the professionalisation of the interpreting sector in New Zealand.

There are a number of pathways into the NAATI Certification System:

• To become a “Certified Provisional Interpreter” or “Certified Interpreter” an interpreter will need to pass a NAATI test in that language, regardless of their academic qualifications or experience.
• There is no test to become a “Recognised Practising Interpreter”. This is only offered for rare languages, or languages of low demand where NAATI is not currently testing due to numbers. To achieve this an interpreter needs to have an appropriate level of English, complete formal training in interpreting, including on ethics of the profession and meet the required number of hours of interpreting, some of which can be simulated. NAATI will assess any documents submitted and grant a “Recognised Practising Interpreter” credential if the requirements are met.

NAATI and recertification

Just as in other professions and sectors, ongoing professional development, such as attending conferences, webinars, and trainings will need to be completed to ensure that the credential is maintained.

Before the expiry date of their credential, practitioners are required to apply for recertification and provide evidence of continuing work practice and professional development to maintain the certification for a further 3 years.

Re-testing is not required and it is strongly recommended that New Zealand Interpreters join the New Zealand Society for Translators and Interpreters to keep abreast of developments in the sector and opportunities to seek professional development.

Full details of NAATI recertification criteria can be found on the NAATI website.

Recertification(external link) – NAATI website