Interpreting New Zealand

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.

Celebrating 33 Years of Interpreting New Zealand in CanterburyOver three wonderful days in Canterbury, we came together ...
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.

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

Celebrating 33 years and honouring those who shaped our journeyLast Tuesday, we proudly celebrated 33 years of Interpret...
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.

Inside Our ISO 21998 Journey: Henrique’s PerspectiveAs part of our ISO 21998:2020 certification process at Interpreting ...
06/05/2026

Inside Our ISO 21998 Journey: Henrique’s Perspective

As part of our ISO 21998:2020 certification process at Interpreting New Zealand (INZ), three interpreters were randomly selected for audit. Henrique Sauer Rupp, one of our Portuguese interpreters based in Ōtautahi Christchurch and with INZ since 2009, was one of them.

Henrique reflects on his experience and what the certification means for his practice and the wider profession.

“I was slightly surprised, in a positive sense. Becoming familiar with ISO 21998 more recently, I see this certification as a strong validation of the quality work we have been doing over the years as INZ interpreters. It strengthens the recognition and credibility of our profession across all interpreting settings.”

For Henrique, healthcare interpreting is a field where continuous learning is essential:

“Life is a continuous learning process. In healthcare interpreting especially, medical knowledge evolves quickly. We need to keep learning, ideally every day, even in small ways—reflecting, improving, and staying curious. Our work can have a direct impact on people’s health and lives.”

On building confidence in the profession, he highlights consistency and curiosity:
“Confidence comes with time and practice. Staying in regular contact with languages through reading, listening, and engaging with people helps build readiness for any assignment.”

Reflecting on the certification, Henrique shares:
“For me, ISO 21998 is both a validation of the quality of work I’ve been doing for 16 years and a motivation to keep improving my interpreting skills.”

Henrique’s story is one of three interpreter reflections from our ISO audit process, each highlighting the professionalism and commitment behind everyday interpreting work.

More stories from our ISO journey will be shared soon.

Meet Our Interpreters: Andrea Murillo JimenezAt Interpreting New Zealand, we’re proud to work alongside incredible inter...
29/03/2026

Meet Our Interpreters: Andrea Murillo Jimenez

At Interpreting New Zealand, we’re proud to work alongside incredible interpreters who help break down language barriers every day. Today, we’d love you to meet Andrea Murillo Jimenez, one of our dedicated Spanish Interpreters, who has been part of our community since 2016.

From Chef to Interpreter. A journey of connection and purpose.
Andrea’s story is one of passion, resilience, and genuine care for people. With 17 years as a professional chef, she made a bold career shift after moving to New Zealand, and chose a path focused on community and connection.

While working with the Red Cross, Andrea discovered Interpreting New Zealand. That spark of curiosity quickly turned into commitment. Even while visiting Colombia, she was waking up at 1am to attend our in-house Applied Community Interpreting training, which prepares interpreters with the skills and standards required to work with Interpreting New Zealand. She brings that level of dedication to everything she does.

Today, Andrea continues her work as both an interpreter and Settlement Case Worker, supporting people as they navigate life in a new country.

For Andrea, interpreting goes far beyond words. It’s about bridging cultures, building understanding, and ensuring people feel heard.
She recalls a simple but powerful moment during a hospital appointment, where a small cultural misunderstanding could have caused confusion. By recognising the difference and gently clarifying, Andrea helped both sides connect. Turning a potentially frustrating situation into a moment of understanding. These are the everyday moments where interpreters make a real difference.

In 2024, Andrea achieved her NAATI certification, further strengthening her ability to support communities across New Zealand and Australia. We’re incredibly proud to have Andrea as part of our team.

Our interpreters play a vital role in delivering high-quality, professional services. Ensuring everyone, regardless of language, can access the support they need.

Let’s celebrate the amazing work they do.

Inside Our ISO 21998 Journey: Edwin’s PerspectiveAs part of our ISO journey series, Edwin Reverol, Senior Office Adminis...
17/03/2026

Inside Our ISO 21998 Journey: Edwin’s Perspective

As part of our ISO journey series, Edwin Reverol, Senior Office Administrator at Interpreting New Zealand, reflects on the experience, the challenges involved, and what the certification means for the organisation.

Why was achieving ISO 21998 important for Interpreting New Zealand?
"From the start, I was motivated by the challenge. Our former CEO at the time, Peter McLellan, encouraged us to pursue the certification, and stepping up to coordinate parts of the process with the team became a great opportunity to contribute. While INZ already had high standards, this certification provides third-party validation and recognises the work we’ve been doing for over 30 years."

What challenges did you face?
"Many policies, procedures, and records already existed across different areas of the organisation. The task was to review, tidy, and consolidate everything in one place, while also developing new procedures where updates were needed. It was very much a team effort, and I really enjoyed working with colleagues and the discussions we had as we strengthened our processes together."

What did you discover about INZ and our interpreters?
"I was impressed by how seriously our interpreters take their professional development. Many invest heavily in improving their skills, knowledge, and ethical practice. That commitment sits at the heart of the quality services we provide every day."

What does achieving ISO 21998 certification mean to you?
"It’s more than a credential. It recognises the high standards that have long been part of INZ and opens new opportunities to strengthen resources, systems, and support for our interpreters, staff, and clients."
Any final reflections?

"Coordinating this project with the team and seeing the second audit conclude successfully was a proud moment. It confirmed what we already knew. That INZ delivers exceptional interpreting services. I’m proud to have contributed to this milestone alongside such a dedicated team."

Edwin’s story is a reminder that quality isn’t just measured at audits. It’s woven into daily practice, one assignment at a time.

More stories from our ISO journey will be shared soon.

Inside Our ISO 21998 Journey – Mariko Hummel-JibikiAs part of our journey towards achieving ISO 21998 Healthcare Interpr...
17/03/2026

Inside Our ISO 21998 Journey – Mariko Hummel-Jibiki

As part of our journey towards achieving ISO 21998 Healthcare Interpreting, we asked Mariko, INZ Operations Lead, to reflect on her experience during the certification process and the audit. Here is what she shared.

How did going through this certification process make you consider the needs of interpreters?
“As an interpreter myself, I naturally consider the interpreter’s perspective in all aspects of our work. However, going through this certification process reinforced just how important it is for interpreters to receive clear and sufficient information about their assignments so they can prepare adequately, ensuring both their safety and the quality of the service.
It also reminded us that providing this level of information is not always straightforward, given operational pressures and privacy considerations, but it is something we must continue to work towards.
Feedback from interpreters has been an important part of this process, and we have been taking practical steps to improve how information is shared so that interpreters feel supported and well prepared for their work.”

What challenges did you face taking the auditor through the lifecycle of an interpreter, from employing them to ensuring their work is achieved?
“I had never experienced a multi-day auditing process before, and it took some time to fully understand what the auditor was looking for. At moments, I wished I had an interpreter for myself!
What I did have, however, was an incredible team I could rely on. Colleagues contributed insights I might have missed, clarified points when I was unsure, and were able to answer questions when I needed to redirect. Other colleagues were also on standby if needed.

Knowing we had such a strong, dependable team inside and outside the meeting room allowed me to confidently address questions and ensure that every aspect of the interpreter lifecycle was covered. Teamwork and mutual support were key to successfully navigating the audit.”

What would you recommend to other organisations aiming to achieve this ISO standard?
“If we have confidence in, and take pride in what we are doing, it needs to be reflected in clear processes, consistent practices, and systems that everyone can rely on.
Supporting staff through guidance, training, and open communication makes a big difference.
Achieving the standard isn’t the end point — what matters most is continuing to improve, adapt, and work together across the organisation.”

Thank you, Mariko, for sharing your reflections and for your leadership throughout this process.

More stories from our ISO journey will be shared soon.

Inside Our ISO 21998 Journey: Xuan’s PerspectiveXuan works closely with interpreter training, professional development, ...
17/03/2026

Inside Our ISO 21998 Journey: Xuan’s Perspective

Xuan works closely with interpreter training, professional development, and data processes at Interpreting New Zealand. During our ISO 21998:2020 certification journey, she was deeply involved in reviewing systems, documentation, and the processes that support quality interpreting.
For Xuan, achieving ISO 21998 was an important step for healthcare interpreting in Aotearoa.

“Because most of our work is in medical interpreting, accuracy is not a preference. It’s a necessity. While INZ already has a strong reputation for quality, this third-party accreditation strengthens our internal confidence and affirms our leading role in the country.”
She explains that the certification represents more than a credential.
“It reflects our commitment to patient safety and provides reassurance to DHBs, PHOs, and specialists who rely on our interpreters every day.”

Looking closely at our systems
Preparing for the audit meant reviewing how everything works behind the scenes.
“While our core processes were strong, we needed to ensure that every system —from interpreter training to incident reporting— was robust, transparent, and aligned with ISO requirements.”
This involved reviewing data management and consolidating workflows so each stage of the interpreting journey was clearly documented and measurable.
“It was inspiring to see the team come together to navigate such a demanding process and achieve compliance.”

What the process revealed
For Xuan, a positive outcome was discovering how strong the organisation’s foundations already were.
“The process showed comprehensive systems and documentation were already in place. It reflects the diligence of our management, administrators, and interpreters, whose attention to detail ensures our work meets high standards.”

From claimed quality to proven quality
Achieving ISO 21998 has strengthened the organisation’s value for clients and interpreters.
“This accreditation transforms our value proposition from claimed quality to proven quality. For our interpreters, it brings professional recognition and pride in being part of an organisation that meets international standards.”
Certification is not the end of the journey.
“It marks the beginning of an ongoing commitment to maintaining these standards under continued third-party scrutiny.”

More stories from our ISO journey will be shared soon.

What happens when everyday professionalism is put to the test?When Farah Khosravi, our dedicated Farsi interpreter since...
17/03/2026

What happens when everyday professionalism is put to the test?

When Farah Khosravi, our dedicated Farsi interpreter since July 2017 and one of our busiest community interpreters, was randomly selected for our ISO 21998:2020 audit, she was surprised.
“I didn’t know I had been selected. At the same time, I felt proud. Being part of the ISO process reminded me that the standards we follow every day genuinely matter.”

For Farah, the audit didn’t require any changes.
“It reflected my normal practice: consistently adhering to the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct, maintaining confidentiality, accuracy and impartiality in every assignment.”
That reassurance matters. Certification isn’t about performing for an audit. It’s about what happens every day behind the scenes.

Why professional development matters
Farah sees ongoing learning as professional accountability.
“Ongoing learning strengthens my terminology, ethical judgement and cultural competence. It keeps me aligned with evolving standards. Professional development is part of my responsibility.”

Advice for early-career interpreters
“For those starting out, build strong ethical foundations and clear role boundaries from the beginning. Follow the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct in every assignment.”

Consistency is key. Maintain high standards in every assignment, not just during audits. Invest in training. Seek feedback. Reflect on your practice. Always prepare thoroughly.
“And remember that confidence develops through competence and experience.”

What ISO 21998 means to her
“Achieving ISO 21998 certification is very meaningful. It shows that the work we do behind the scenes meets international standards. I’m proud to have played a part in this milestone.”

Farah’s story reminds us that quality is built into daily practice, one assignment at a time. More stories from our ISO journey will be shared soon.

Behind the Scenes: Rhodora Sagles on INZ’s ISO 21998 Certification JourneyAchieving ISO 21998:2020 certification for hea...
17/03/2026

Behind the Scenes: Rhodora Sagles on INZ’s ISO 21998 Certification Journey

Achieving ISO 21998:2020 certification for healthcare interpreting services was a huge milestone for Interpreting New Zealand, and it took the dedication of our whole team to get there. We caught up with Rhodora Sagles, our Canterbury Regional Manager, to hear her perspective on this journey.

Why this certification matters
“Hitting the highest standard in medical interpreting isn’t just a badge, it’s a promise,” Rhodora says. “It’s a win for communities whose English is a second language and for medical professionals alike: messages delivered accurately, every time, without fail.”

Challenges along the way
Rhodora played a key role in preparing for the audit, helping to collect information, reviewing documents, and tidying up policies and procedures. “Our organisation already had the potential to be the best, it just needed a tidy-up. We ended up reviewing all the policies and procedures and updated them.”

Huge kudos to our former CE, Peter, for having the vision and taking INZ to the next level. Challenges? Sure, but what seemed impossible became achievable.”

Discovering strengths in our people
Going through the certification process also gave Rhodora insight into the team. “Comfort is powerful, but progress is transformational. Most of the answers I was looking for were already in our system. That’s a win, it means our foundations are strong. With a few tweaks, we can turn what we already have into an even bigger impact.” She adds, “I was genuinely impressed to learn that our interpreters are highly accomplished professionals, many holding double degrees, bringing far more than language skills to the table.”

The impact of certification
“Becoming certified adds value to both INZ and our interpreters. We’re proud to be the first language service provider in the country with this top-tier ISO accreditation.

Leading the sector means giving our communities and medical partners the best interpreters, best standards, and best service. For our team, it’s an honour and a responsibility.”

Rhodora’s story is just one example of the dedication and collaboration that made our ISO 21998 certification possible. More stories from interpreters and staff about this journey will be coming soon!

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