Interpreting New Zealand

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Interpreting New Zealand

We train, employ and provide professional community interpreters in some 70 languages.

Interpreting New Zealand was established in 1993 as the first comprehensive interpreting service in New Zealand. We initially provided onsite interpreters and in 1997 expanded our services to include the provision of telephone interpreters. In response to increased demand, we expanded our services in Wellington, to include a permanent Christchurch branch in Canterbury. We provide and train profess

ional community interpreters, and advocate for the rights and needs of interpreters and speakers of languages other than English.

30/07/2026

We were delighted to be a finalist in the 2026 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards.

Congratulations to the Supreme Award winner, Kaicycle, and runner-up Good Bi***es Baking Wellington, along with all the inspiring organisations recognised across the region.

Thank you to Wellington City Council and Wellington Airport for celebrating the incredible work being done in our communities.

We were proud to be part of such a fantastic group of finalists!

A special thank you to our Board members Tūrei Ormsby, Tom Hovey, Stana Pezic, Cecily Lin and Rula Talahma for representing Interpreting New Zealand at the awards evening.

20/07/2026

Taking time to pause and reconnect

Our Interpreting New Zealand whānau recently shared a restorative Yin Yoga session at Yoga for the People in Wellington.

In the work we do supporting connection and language access across Aotearoa, taking time to care for ourselves and each other matters. This pause reflected the kindness, care and connection that sit at the heart of our culture.

Thank you to Martina Giusto for guiding us through the session, and to Yoga For The People - Wellington for creating such a welcoming space.

13/07/2026

Meet our Team: From IT to Interpreter - Ghassan’s Journey

What inspires someone to move from a career in technology into interpreting?
For Ghassan Emmanuel, it came from a long-standing passion for languages, learning, and helping people connect.

Originally from Iraq, Ghassan spent nearly 30 years working in banking software and IT in Auckland. Alongside his tech career, he volunteered his translation skills, including with Translators Without Borders, where he discovered the impact of helping people communicate across languages.

When he later learned that becoming a NAATI Certified Provisional Interpreter would open new opportunities, he decided to take the next step. Since 2024, he has been part of the Interpreting New Zealand team as an Arabic interpreter.

For Ghassan, interpreting is about more than words.
"There are many dialects and human emotions involved. Technology can help, but it can’t capture everything."

His background in IT brings strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which now support him in complex, real-world conversations.
Outside of work, Ghassan enjoys travelling, cooking, reading, and volunteering in his community.

We’re proud to have Ghassan as part of the Interpreting New Zealand whānau, supporting communities across Aotearoa.

29/06/2026

Last week, Interpreting New Zealand had the privilege of attending the World Refugee Day event at Parliament, represented by our Board Chair, Ormsby, Chief Executive Dr Susan Knox, and Interpreting New Zealand whānau Niborom and Victor Young.

A big thank you to the New Zealand Red Cross for hosting such a meaningful event.

While the day acknowledged the significant challenges faced by refugee-background communities, the stories we heard were equally about hope, resilience, strength, and ambition.

The 2026 World Refugee Day theme, "Until Everyone Is Safe", highlights the importance of ensuring that people forced to flee conflict and persecution can access safety, protection, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

18/06/2026

Creativity and culture came together beautifully as we closed Ping Mabbett's Art Exhibition, part of Interpreting New Zealand's 33rd anniversary celebrations.

It was a special opportunity to hear Ping share the stories and cultural symbolism behind her paintings, bringing together traditions from her Chinese heritage with New Zealand's multicultural community.

A heartfelt thank you to Helen Mainwaring, one of our Request Coordinators and a published author, for facilitating a thoughtful creative writing session inspired by the exhibition. Through her enthusiasm for storytelling and writing, participants were encouraged to let their creativity take flight and create poems and reflections inspired by Ping's work.

One participant, D**g Zhang, Mandarin Interpreter, captured the beauty of Ping's peony painting:
"The spring breeze warming up the flowers' competition, but the peony overpowering them all..."

Another reflection inspired by China in Thaw celebrated dreams, freedom, and openness:
"When the doors open, dreams have a chance… That life should flow, like the rivers go."

At Interpreting New Zealand, our mission is to remove language barriers, while also celebrating the creativity, cultures, and stories that enrich our communities.

Thank you to Ping, Helen, and everyone who joined us for such a meaningful way to bring the exhibition to a close.

15/06/2026

Empowering Future Doctors Through Language Access

Recently, our Canterbury team at Interpreting New Zealand had the privilege of delivering a workshop for fifth-year medical students at the University of Otago, Christchurch, focused on effectively working with trained interpreters in healthcare settings.

The session explored how healthcare professionals can access interpreting services and the different ways interpreters can support communication with patients, including telephone, video, and onsite interpreting.

By equipping future doctors with the knowledge and confidence to work alongside professional interpreters, we are helping build a healthcare system where language is never a barrier to understanding, dignity, or quality care.

A big thank you to the University of Otago Medical Education team for their partnership and commitment to equitable, patient-centred healthcare.

Together, we're creating a more inclusive Aotearoa.

09/06/2026

Connecting with Community at Ladies Health Day

It was a pleasure for the team at Interpreting New Zealand to be part of the Ladies Health Day, hosted by Christchurch Resettlement Services, supporting women from refugee and migrant backgrounds to connect with a range of local health, safety, and wellbeing services.

We were proud to host an information table, share details about our interpreting services, and meet members of our diverse communities face to face.

Events like this are a powerful reminder of the importance of accessibility, connection, and working together to ensure everyone can access the services they need.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a conversation and helped make the day such a positive and welcoming community event.

05/06/2026

Celebrating 33 Years of Interpreting New Zealand in Canterbury

Over three wonderful days in Canterbury, we came together with clients, supporters, funders, interpreters, staff, and guests to celebrate 33 years of Interpreting New Zealand — a journey grounded in connection, service, and removing language barriers across Aotearoa.

It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on our mahi, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the people and partnerships that continue to shape our work.

One of the highlights was our new CEO sharing the future vision for Interpreting New Zealand on Plains Media, connecting with our wider community partners and outlining the journey ahead.

We were also warmly welcomed by Whaea Sally Pitama of Ngāi Tahu, who received our new CE and guests as we gathered to share kai, stories, laughter, and genuine connection. The celebrations continued into the evening with an insightful kōrero and time spent with our interpreters, reflecting on our shared purpose.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support our mahi.

Here’s to many more years of connection, impact, and community.

28/05/2026

A big thank you to Plains Media for the opportunity to share an important kōrero about the vital role of interpreters across Aotearoa.

We are proud to see our CEO Dr Susan Knox and our Christchurch–Canterbury Regional Manager and Tagalog Interpreter, Rhodora Sagles, featured in this meaningful conversation discussing language access, inclusion, and the impact interpreters make across healthcare, justice, education, and community services.

At Interpreting New Zealand, we remain committed to building stronger, more connected communities by helping remove language barriers every day.

Thank you again to Plains Media for the opportunity, collaboration, and networking support.

Listen interview here:
https://plains.org.nz/programme/PlainsMediaFeatures

25/05/2026

Celebrating 33 years and honouring those who shaped our journey

Last Tuesday, we proudly celebrated 33 years of Interpreting New Zealand at our Wellington office. An important milestone in our journey of removing language barriers across Aotearoa.

It was wonderful to come together with interpreters, supporters of our organisation, staff, and community members to celebrate and reflect on the people who have shaped our story over the years.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we were also honoured to open a special exhibition featuring the work and journey of Ping Mabbett — interpreter, journalist, artist, teacher, and one of our longest serving interpreters, celebrating an incredible 33 years with Interpreting New Zealand.

We were also delighted to celebrate alongside our communities in Christchurch, Nelson, and Dunedin, making this anniversary week even more special across our regions.

Our Wellington exhibition remains open until 12 June during office hours. Feel free to come and visit us and enjoy a cup of tea.

Here's to another 33 years of connection and communication.

Address

Level 1, 72 Abel Smith Street
Wellington
6041

Website

http://www.interpret.org.nz/

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