Senior NZSL Interpreter

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As a Senior NZSL Interpreter, you’ll provide high-quality, confidential interpretation between NZSL and English across a wide range of internal and external settings. This includes internal meetings, conversations and events, NZSL Board meetings, community engagement, workshops, stakeholder meetings, and recorded or live speeches and announcements.

You’ll support Deaf and hearing kaimahi, leaders, partners and stakeholders to communicate effectively, accurately and respectfully in face-to-face and online contexts. You’ll also manage formal and informal interpretation requests, prepare for meetings and events by reviewing relevant context and materials, and work alongside other interpreters to achieve successful communication outcomes.

You will be part of the Ministerial and Executive Services team so will have the opportunity to improve your knowledge of the machinery of government and related processes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide internal NZSL interpreting services for pre-booked staff meetings, workshops, hui, training sessions and organisational activities.


• Ensure interpreting is delivered to a high professional standard, aligned with NZSL interpreting best practice.


• Be available for pre-scheduled bookings as well as ad-hoc interpreting needs, depending on organisational demand.


• Work collaboratively with Whaikaha staff to ensure communication access needs are met in a timely and culturally appropriate way.


• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and cultural safety at all times.


• Be based in our Wellington office as part of the benefit for the deaf kamahi to have someone close by for the informal chats.

Mōu | About you

• A recognised NZSL interpreting qualification from AUT or equivalent.


• Membership of the Sign Language Interpreters Association of New Zealand (SLIANZ).


• A deep understanding of Deaf culture and the ability to accurately convey meaning, nuance and intent between Deaf and hearing people.


• Excellent communication skills in NZSL and written and spoken English.


• Experience building strong, collaborative relationships with employees, interpreters, stakeholders and community groups.


• A commitment to confidentiality, impartiality and ethical decision-making.


• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

To undertake this role successfully, you will either be a disabled person, tāngata whaikaha Māori, or have lived experience as whānau, or be able to establish credibility and trust with the disability community. 

He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga | Position Description

The job description of this advertisement can be found here: Senior NZSL Interpreter

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: 90,701.00 - 109,929.00