iSign Review
Mark Crooke – General Manager Interpreting & Translation
This year marked a year of further growth and consolidation for our Interpreting (iSign) and Translation (NZSL Switch) teams. Building on last year’s strategic move to bring Translation alongside Interpreting, we’ve now taken the next step by combining the two services into one unified team.
Following the departure of iSign Team Leader Rachel Elmes, this integration allows us to continue strengthening our service – making it more cohesive and responsive for the customers and community’s we support. We’re fortunate to have James Anderson-Pole stepping into the role of Manager for both iSign and Translation, bringing fresh energy and leadership to this next chapter.
James’ NZSL Switch report highlights key achievements, including new community collaborations. The refreshed brand has elevated our visibility and deepened engagement with stakeholders and users.
Graduate Interpreter Programme
We farewelled our inaugural cohort of graduates, Oliver, Xanthe and Nicky and we are delighted to report that all three have successfully established themselves as professional interpreters. The networks and relationships they developed during their time in the Graduate Programme have proven invaluable. All three are now established as iSign contractors and available for community bookings. Their addition strengthens our agency’s pool of interpreters and contributes to the growth of the wider profession.
In February 2025 two of our current Graduate Interpreters Caitlin Coffey and Megan Pochin joined a one-week block placement at New Zealand Relay. All three of our graduates then took part in Round the Bays Auckland, which the iSign Graduate Programme proudly sponsored. Interpreting for celebrity MCs on big screens for 30,000 runners was a first for the event and was enthusiastically received by Deaf participants.
Their involvement in the Transition Expo 2024 (supporting disabled students and their whānau as they explore post-school opportunities) and the Halberg Games (providing interpreting support to Deaf individuals with additional disabilities) gave them valuable experience across diverse settings, enriching their adaptability and understanding of different communication needs.
New graduate Becca Peri connected quickly with the Northland Deaf Society community, while Caitlin Coffey and Megan Pochin became well known in the Wellington, Horowhenua, and Manawatū areas, receiving thanks from NZSL Family Camp organisers. Both have also begun tactile interpreting for Deafblind people, contributing to the Deafblind Conference in June.
Now in its third year, the Graduate Interpreter Programme – led by Donna Bailey – continues to set a high standard for graduate interpreter training. Over the past twelve months, our graduates have shown strong professional growth and adaptability, allowing us to provide significant service to the community, especially in Wellington and Northland.
While the programme continues to go from strength to strength, securing funding remains a challenge despite ongoing efforts.
Educational Placements
We have established interpreting block placements across a wide range of educational settings. These placements have been maintained across preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions – including AUT, Fruitvale, Linden, Tawa, Ormiston Junior College, the Preschool Residential Course (PRC) at Sumner in Christchurch, and the First Signs playgroups.
These networks offer safe, supportive development opportunities for our interpreters while also helping to fill gaps in under resourced and underfunded areas.
The PRC Week at the School for the Deaf in Christchurch continues to be a highlight for our team. It provides a chance to connect with families, NZSL teachers and senior interpreters, while also offering exposure to regional NZSL variation and deeper community engagement
Service Leadership and Collaboration
Our Senior Staff Interpreter, Alan Wendt, continues to bring his experience to high-profile events including the Prime Ministers Post Cabinet conference and the Crown’s Public Apology for survivors of historical abuse in care. With the move closer together of interpreting and translation services Alan is now also a vital interface between interpreting and translation with the many variations of requests for service.
As mentioned previously the iSign service has experienced further positive change this year, with the appointment of James Anderson-Pole as Manager. James brings well rounded experience as a service user and continues to make changes to our operation to improve delivery. Staff have attended both the SLIANZ and NZSTI conferences maintaining our support of both these important organisations.
Community and Public Events
One of the most significant and moving events during this reporting period was the Crown’s public apology to survivors of abuse in care. The event spanned seven venues nationwide – including three locations around Parliament, TSB Arena in Wellington, Manukau Events Centre in Auckland, Christchurch Town Hall, and Pipitea Marae. Twelve interpreters were sourced from across the motu to provide NZSL access. It was a deeply emotional day for all involved, and we’re proud to have played a role in ensuring access for the Deaf community.
Another key moment was our response to three Civil Defence emergencies following the Easter storms and floods in the Christchurch and Tasman regions. Interpreting and translation teams worked together to enable rapid coordination and timely delivery of critical information. These efforts helped ensure that Deaf communities had access to emergency updates during a time of uncertainty.
Contract Management and Agency Engagement
We’ve increased engagement with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), attending key meetings to strengthen emergency communication and improve access for the Deaf community.
Significant discussions have also taken place with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) around renewing and expanding our main services contract. Ongoing changes across government agencies have required adaptability and proactive planning to maintain service stability and ensure continuity for those who rely on us.
Looking Ahead 2025–2026
Following the success of interpreting at Round the Bays Auckland, planning is underway to extend coverage to Wellington and Christchurch.
To address the growing waiting times for medical assessments we are looking into providing interpreters for online medical consultations and we are excited that this is nearing completion, With online training becoming more popular we are in the process of developing an online training programme which is already in the test phase.
Acknowledgement
The efforts of the Interpreting and Translation teams over the past 12 months shows a significant desire to increase access and visibility of NZSL in Aotearoa. Thank you to every team member for all their efforts and the Deaf community for their trust and support.
