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Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

Purposes, principles, and duties - General duties

9: Interpreters

You could also call this:

"Help with understanding in court, like interpreters, if you need it"

Illustration for Oranga Tamariki Act 1989

When you are in court for something about a child or young person under the Oranga Tamariki Act, the court must make sure you understand what is happening. If you or the child or young person do not speak English as your first language, or if you have a disability that makes it hard for you to understand English, the court must provide an interpreter to help you. This also applies to the child or young person's parents or guardians who may need an interpreter. The court must follow these rules whenever possible, and this does not change anything in the Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016/the Māori Language Act 2016.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM149448.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Courts and legal helpFamily and relationships > Children and parentingRights and equality > Anti-discrimination
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8: Parents and others to be informed of decisions, or

"People making decisions about you must tell you and your family in a way you understand."

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10: Duty of court and counsel to explain proceedings, or

"The court and your lawyer must explain what's happening in a way you can understand."

Part 1Purposes, principles, and duties
General duties

9Interpreters

  1. Where—

  2. any court hears any proceedings under this Act relating to a child or young person; or
    1. any person takes or proposes to take any action under this Act in relation to a child or young person,—
        1. it is the duty of that court or, as the case requires, that person to ensure that the requirements of this section are carried out wherever practicable.

      1. The requirements of this section are as follows:

      2. that where—the services of an interpreter are provided for the child or young person:
        1. the first or preferred language of the child or young person is Maori or any other language other than English; or
          1. the child or young person is unable, by reason of a physical disability, to understand English,—
          2. that where—the services of an interpreter are provided for that parent or guardian or that other person.
            1. the first or preferred language of any parent or guardian or other person having the care of the child or young person is Maori or any other language other than English; or
              1. that parent or guardian or that other person is unable, by reason of a physical disability, to understand English,—

              2. Nothing in this section limits or affects Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016/the Māori Language Act 2016.

              Notes
              • Section 9(3): amended, on , by section 50 of Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori 2016/the Māori Language Act 2016 (2016 No 17).