Eligibility for NZSTI membership

NZSTI has strict eligibility criteria for its full and affiliate membership categories. Membership may be obtained through recognised translation and interpreting courses in New Zealand or applicable NAATI certification. Overseas qualifications are assessed on an individual basis and accepted at the discretion of the NZSTI council. Work experience is also considered but strict criteria apply. 

Note that applicants must live and work in New Zealand or must have previously lived here and retain significant links to New Zealand. 

Full member

NZSTI considers applications for full member status by those who have completed Level 7 or higher qualifications in translation or interpreting at a New Zealand or overseas tertiary institution, with the qualification requiring two or more semesters of full-time study and/or being equivalent to at least 120 points. In general, applicants are required to have passed with a minimum overall average grade of B+ and a minimum of A- for practical translation or interpreting papers (which are focused on translation or interpreting practice). 

The language direction granted for translation is generally the direction in which the qualification was completed, which is usually from one’s foreign language into one’s native language, for example translation from Spanish into English. For interpreting, membership is granted in both language directions, for example Punjabi into English and English into Punjabi.

Full membership status may be granted for some of the qualifications conferred by the following institutions:

• Auckland University of Technology
• Victoria University of Wellington
• University of Canterbury
• NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters): Certified Translator, Certified Interpreter, Certified Specialist Health/Legal/Conference Interpreter
  

• substantial published translation work, with an ISBN, which acknowledges the name of the translator
• at least 5 years of full-time employment as a translator or interpreter within an organisation that provides supervision and professional development
• in exceptional cases, well documented evidence of at least 10 years of regular and extensive work as a self-employed translator or interpreter

•  NZSTI is formally affiliated with the Sign Language Interpreters Association of New Zealand (SLIANZ). Members of SLIANZ who join NZSTI are admitted as full members

•  NZSTI admits Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori certified translators/interpreters as full members

Affiliate

NZSTI considers applications for affiliate status by to those who have completed a Level 6 or 7 qualification in translation or interpreting at a New Zealand or overseas tertiary institution.   

The language direction granted for translation is generally the direction in which the qualification was completed, which is usually from one’s foreign language into one’s native language, for example translation from Spanish into English. For interpreting, membership is granted in both language directions, for example Punjabi into English and English into Punjabi.

Affiliate status may be granted for some of the qualifications conferred by the following institutions: 

• Auckland University of Technology
• Victoria University of Wellington
• University of Canterbury
• UNITEC
• Interpreting New Zealand
• NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters): Certified Provisional Interpreter

Other equivalent qualifications and/or experience may be considered at the council’s discretion, for example:

• a 3-year language degree with a significant, verified translation component equivalent to part-time translation studies 
• at least 3 years of full-time employment and/or experience as a translator or interpreter within an organisation that provides supervision and professional development
• in exceptional cases, well documented evidence of at least 7 years of regular and extensive work as a self-employed translator or interpreter
  

Observer

Observers have an interest in the society and profession but do not meet the criteria for full member or affiliate status. This category is suitable for professionals working in T&I-related sectors and for T&I academics. 

Student

Students are currently studying at a tertiary institution in New Zealand. They must provide proof of their current enrolment when applying for membership (paid fees invoice). Student membership is granted for a period of two years only, after which the member becomes an observer of NZSTI or, if they meet the requirements, may apply to become a full member or affiliate.

To request further information about the application process or for additional information about the society itself, please contact us on info@nzsti.org.

 Go to the application page