This Act should be read in together with the Māori Language Amendment Act 1991

Māori Language Act 1987 176
Commenced: 1 Aug 1987

Certificates of Competency

18 Endorsement for purposes of legal proceedings

18. Endorsement for purposes of legal proceedings---(1) The Commission may endorse any certificate of competency to the effect that the holder is competent to interpret the Māori language or (as the case may require) to translate the Māori language or both for the purposes of any legal proceedings if the Commission is satisfied that the holder of the certificate---
(a) Has a sufficient degree of competency in the interpretation or (as the case may require) the translation or both of the Māori language; and
(b) Has undergone an appropriate course of training or instruction in the duties of an interpreter or translator or both in legal proceedings.

(2) Every holder of a certificate of competency endorsed under this section shall, on production of the certificate, be recognised as competent to interpret the Māori language or (as the case may require) to translate the Māori language or both for the purposes of any legal proceedings; but no such holder shall have the right to insist on acting, and no party, witness, or other person shall have the right to insist on that holder acting, as an interpreter or a translator or both in any particular proceedings.

(3) Where, in respect of any legal proceedings, the presiding officer considers that the holder of any certificate of competency in the Māori language (whether or not endorsed under this section)---
(a) Has failed to interpret or translate adequately for the purposes of the proceedings; or (b) Has acted in a manner that is inconsistent with the duties of an interpreter or a translator in legal proceedings,---
the presiding officer may cause a report of the matter to be referred to the Commission, who shall deal with it under section 19 of this Act as if it were a complaint lodged under that section.
Cf. 1953, No. 94, s. 73

Back | Next | Back to top