Simultaneous interpretation of debates from Te Reo Māori into English

When Te Reo Māori is spoken in the House of Representatives, viewers of Parliament TV can listen to a simultaneous English interpretation by selecting the appropriate language option available on their television.

Parliament TV is available on Freeview 22, Sky 94, and TelstraClear 94. Each platform provides two audio channels:

• English and Māori: you only hear what is spoken on the floor of the House
• English only: you hear English live from the floor of the House and a simultaneous English interpretation when te reo Māori is spoken

Both audio channels are available via your decoder remote control. The default will be the sound live from the debating chamber. If you want to access the audio channel containing the interpretation, you will need to select the alternative language channel. It may, for instance, be labelled ‘English Alt’. You will need to explore the language options because decoders will behave differently depending on the model and your service provider. Try buttons such as ‘audio’, ‘+’, ‘menu’, ‘setup’ or ‘options’.

Both audio channels are also available for the live streaming over the internet of the House’s proceedings at www.parliament.nz.

Members in the House and visitors in the public galleries can also access simultaneous interpretation using special earpieces. Radio New Zealand’s AM Network broadcasts the untranslated audio direct from the floor of the House.