TransNational has the largest network of trained interpreters across 9 locations nationwide. We work at all levels from private clients, businesses and government agencies to provide face-to-face (60 languages), Telephone Interpreting (90 languages) and the latest in Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services (24 languages) with over 700 experienced interpreters both local and overseas.
We are the only service in New Zealand to be ISO 18841 and ISO 13611 Interpreting Service accredited. This provides a quality assurance standard not met anywhere else in the country.
Professional interpreters are experienced in Police and legal work, IRD interviews, private healthcare appointments, workplace training sessions, international sports events, conferences and event launches, international delegation visits, business meetings, company tours, site visits, and a wide array of private functions.
Face-to-face interpreters are booked in advance. The more notice and information you can provide, the better. The role they play and their field of expertise needs to be clearly outlined with one of our project managers when making a booking so that the right interpreter can be provided for you.
Interpreters can travel to your location. We can provide the service beyond regular office hours upon prior arrangement. After-hour rates will apply. If cost is an issue, then telephone interpreting (on-demand or booked in advance) may be the solution for you. Call or email us with the details and for rates.
Telephone & Video Remote Interpreting
Bilingual professionals removing the language barrier…
There are two options for Over-The-Phone (OPT) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) modes. Pre-bookings for Casual Use and high volume On-Demand Use on a fixed contract.
Casual use is for clients needing a one-off or infrequent solution. OTP and VRI are cost-effective when you do not physically require someone onsite. It reduces travel time, mileage and overall costs. Booking in advance means you know exactly when you are going to get your callback so you can make preparations and the most effective use of the time available. VRI can be done through your smart phone.
Only a 15-minute minimum charge applies per engagement making OPT and VRI significantly more cost effective than face-to-face. Time is calculated in 15-minute increments thereafter. On-demand telephone interpreters are available within 1-2 minutes. Future date bookings can be done through the booking form or through our call centre team (0800 938 255). All calls are managed through our secure, state-of-the-art telecommunications platform.
We also provide high volume on-demand telephone and video delivery on a contract basis. This caters to frequent-use corporate clients needing a specific language for rapid response and connects you directly to an interpreter without routing through an operator.
The Role of an Interpreter
Interpreters are bilingual language professionals. Their role is to provide language support.
Under special circumstances, face-to-face interpreters can act as ambassadors to support your business endeavours as a language conduit, or they can abide by a strict code of ethics and complete confidentiality as a ‘linguistic tape recorder’ to meet official requirements.
By clearly defining the expectations and role of the interpreter at the time of booking, the most suitable framework can be set and reasonable expectations met.
Interpreters can adapt to a range of environments from working in front of the camera for news releases and film launches to completely behind the scenes in a conference sound booth as required. For this reason, we have an extensive pool of interpreters in order to cover a range of backgrounds from legal and medical to export marketing, education and the arts.
Credentials, Ethics and Interpreter Support
Depending on the role and language pair required, most interpreters will have a recognised qualification, a minimum of 4-year’s documented experience in the industry and or belong to a professional body in New Zealand, Australia or the United States. There are minor exceptions where rare or emerging languages and community/migrant groups simply do not have access to industry-specific qualifications or training.
Irrespective, TransNational provides all NZ-based interpreters with supplementary training to vet, select and insure our local interpreters work in accordance with professional workplace standards. In government agency work this may include protocols, ethics and procedures guided by the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, The Health and Disability Commission Code of Ethics, Immigration & Protection Tribunal Code of Ethics and the NZSTI Code of Ethics irrespective of membership.
Interpreters are supported on-going by the option to undergo post-engagement debriefing sessions with our project managers and to complete review modules that cover a range of competences, interpreting scenarios and ethics questions.
Interpreters are also encouraged to continue developing their skills and professional development through attendance to conference and training events including those hosted by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters (NZSTI).
Sign Language Interpreters (Face-to -face)
We work exclusively with certified members of the Sign Language Interpreters Association of New Zealand (SLIANZ).
These are trained and qualified New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) professionals. NZSL is the preferred language of the New Zealand Deaf community.
