(1) This section applies to—
(a) a court, tribunal, or person exercising a power under this Act in respect of a person; and
(b) a court or tribunal conducting proceedings under this Act in respect of a person.
(2) The court, tribunal, or person must ensure that the services of an interpreter are provided for the person, if—
(a) 1 of the following applies:
(i) the first or preferred language of the person is a language other than English, including Maori and New Zealand Sign Language; or
(ii) the person is unable, because of physical disability, to understand English; and
(b) it is practicable to provide the services of an interpreter.
(3) The court, tribunal, or person must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the interpreter provided is competent.
Section 6: substituted, on 1 April 2000, by section 6 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 140).