Maisie Case
Senior Visitor Host, Parliamentary Service
Bachelor of Arts in New Zealand Sign Language – English Interpreting
She loved the opportunities to practise NZSL interpreting as part of her degree, says Maisie Case who studied a Bachelor of Arts in New Zealand Sign Language – English Interpreting.
“My degree included a more practical final year, with a course focusing on real-life situations. The first half of the year was observations, where I would attend real-life interpreting jobs; the second half was more practical, and I was interpreting with the support of an experienced interpreter. This was beneficial as it gave me real experience of what it would be like to work as an interpreter, including the ethical aspects of the job and understanding why interpreters would make certain choices.”
After starting her NZSL journey when she was 13, it took a few years until she realised that she could turn this passion into a career.
“I started learning from about age 13 as it was offered as an option for a half-year course at my high school. I would have continued; however, this wasn’t an option at my school. I started my tertiary education at Victoria University of Wellington, studying a minor in NZSL, and in one of my classes we had an NZSL interpreter visit to explain their job. Because of this, I decided to move to Auckland to study NZSL interpreting at AUT.
“I really enjoyed studying NZSL interpreting. Before I came to AUT, I was studying something I wasn’t passionate about, so being able to follow my passion at AUT really changed my experience studying. I’m grateful that my programme leader, George Major, helped me with the transition of changing universities and cross-crediting my previous study. She was very supportive throughout my degree, whenever I was struggling or needed extra support, I would talk to her.”
Introducing visitors to the New Zealand Parliament
After completing her studies, Maisie is now back in Wellington where she works as a senior visitor host for the New Zealand Parliament, including running the Parliament tour in New Zealand Sign Language. It’s a role she is thoroughly enjoying.
“I love the variety of people and experiences I have available to me. Every day we have different people visiting and different things happening in my workplace. The company and people I work with are very supportive, and encourage additional learning and professional development that other workplaces may not.”
Working with different people as part of her studies prepared her well for her career today, she says.
“In my work we always have a variety of people visiting from different backgrounds. As part of my AUT degree I learned about approaching these differences from a place of curiosity rather than judgement.”
Advice for other students
Maisie, who graduated from AUT in 2024, has some great advice for other students.
“If you’re thinking about studying NZSL, do it. When I started learning NZSL in Wellington I had wanted more than just studying the minor, and if I had decided to move to Auckland to study at AUT then I would have graduated a year earlier and accumulated less of the costs of studying. Saying that, it's also not too late to change your mind. It's better to be at the bottom of a ladder you want to climb than part way through climbing a ladder you don’t want to.”
She also has some specific advice around a career in this field.
“Be open to any opportunities that come your way, even scary ones. You’re more capable than you think you are.”
