On 16 September 2023, an interactive workshop was held during the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters (NZSTI) Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch to address fair pay and working conditions for interpreters in Aotearoa. The session, attended by over 50 participants, consisted of a 20-minute presentation, a 20-minute group discussion, and a 20-minute open dialogue. Facilitated by researchers and practitioners Carolina Cannard, Alejandra González Campanella and Agustina Marianacci, the workshop introduced Carolina Cannard’s petition advocating for fair pay for professional interpreters, supported by 1595 signatures.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from across the translation and interpreting sector, including practitioners, trainers, translation and interpreting agencies and representatives from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Attendees engaged in structured discussions to identify key challenges and propose actionable solutions. Emphasis was placed on fostering collaboration and generating insights to inform ongoing advocacy and policy development. This report summarises the session’s outputs, aiming to support MBIE’s research on interpreter pay inequities and working conditions.
