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Cross-government functions › Language Assistance Services ... › Toolkits and resources

Toolkits and resources

We have a wide range of information, guides, and resources available for government agencies and communities regarding the Language Assistance Services programme.

On this page

Toolkit for community (former refugees, migrants, NGOs, settlement service providers etc.)

Wallet card

A printable card that people who may need language assistance services can show to help them use government services. The card has fields where you can write your name and the language you speak, and the MBIE website address for language assistance services.

Language assistance services wallet card [PDF, 154 KB]

Poster and brochure

A printable poster and brochure for people to indicate which language they use.

Which language do you use? - Poster [PDF, 693KB](external link) — Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Which language do you use? - Brochure [PDF, 664KB](external link) — Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Asking for an interpreter when calling government services

Language support is available when accessing many government services. The Ministry for Ethnic Communities has online resources to show people how to ask for an interpreter. This is available in 24 languages. 

Toolkit for government agencies

Language Assistance  Services - Operational policy for New Zealand public sector agencies and those they fund

This document is the culmination of a multi-year, multi-agency work programme to increase the quality, quantity and accessibility of Language Assistance Services in Aotearoa New Zealand. It provides an overview of the operational policy requirements as well as best practice guidelines for public sector agencies and the services that they fund.

Language assistance services operational policy [PDF, 1.7 MB]

Language Assistance Services - Handbook for users 2024

This handbook is a practical guide to working with the Language Assistance Services Operational Policy from 1 July 2024 when the NAATI standards were adopted across all public sector agencies and the services they fund. The handbook is organised as a series of information notes for staff, usually on the front line, working with people with limited English proficiency. This handbook explains how the policy from 1 July 2024 works in practice.

Language assistance services handbook [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Online learning modules for public service staff

Learning modules for public servants about interpreting services

These online learning modules are designed for public servants in customer facing roles, or for public servants who are likely to work with people where they do not share a language. They have been developed by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities with support from the MBIE Language Assistance Services team and other organisations.

This is a general course which focuses on the key aspects of understanding the role of interpreters and accessing and working through interpreters to ensure effective communication.

These modules are also available through the Leadership Development Centre.

Leadership Development Centre(external link) — ldc.govt.nz

Please contact the Ministry for Ethnic Communities to organise getting the modules uploaded on your agency’s internal learning platform.

Contact Us | Ministry for Ethnic Communities(external link)

Learning modules for public servants who work with communities

The Ministry for Ethnic Communities has also developed other online learning modules to support government agencies, and public servants who provide services or engage with people from Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. These modules may be of interest to your staff:

Inter-cultural capability eLearning

Four modules focussed on understanding what culture is, how it impacts on communication and behaviour and provides tools and methods for improving people’s ability to communicate effectively across cultures.

Inter-Cultural Capability eLearning(external link) — Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Unlocking Language Barriers | Te Whakamahea Tauārai Reo

This guide provides practical advice and information to support government agencies and other organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand to better communicate with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.

Unlocking Language Barriers | Te Whakamahea Tauārai Reo(external link) — Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Wallet card

A printable card that people who may need language assistance services can show to help them use government services. The card has fields where you can write your name and the language you speak, and the MBIE website address for language assistance services.

Language assistance services wallet card [PDF, 154 KB]

Poster and brochure

A printable poster and brochure for people to indicate which language they use.

Which language do you use? - Poster [PDF, 693KB](external link) — Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Which language do you use? - Brochure [PDF, 664KB](external link) — Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Social media tiles

Example social media tile images, with the words ask for an interpreter in three languages, and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities branding

These social media tiles feature the following message in a range of languages, "Do you need language support when calling government services? Ask for an interpreter"

Asking for an interpreter when calling government services

Language support is available when accessing many government services. The Ministry for Ethnic Communities has online resources to show people how to ask for an interpreter. This is available in 24 languages. 

Last updated: 08 August 2024

Crown copyright © 2024

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/cross-government-functions/language-assistance-services/toolkits-and-resources
Please note: This content will change over time and can go out of date.