Meet our team
Allira Hanczakowski, Translation Project Manager
Allira joined the Translation Service in early 2021. She holds a PhD in Italian Studies (Translation) from La Trobe University, Melbourne. Allira holds a Master of Translation Studies (Italian) and a BA (Linguistics & Italian) from The University of Western Australia. Her working languages are Italian and English.
Asma Said-Majeed, Translator
Asma immigrated to New Zealand in 1994 from Iraq, where she graduated with a BA in Translation and Interpreting from Mustansyria University in Baghdad. She also tutors language and cultural training at Victoria University of Wellington. Her working languages are Arabic and English.
Bill Ashwell, Translator
Bill first joined the Translation Service in 1978. After leaving to take up a three-year contract as a technical Japanese translator with Fujitsu Australia, he resumed work with the Translation Service in 1988. He holds a BSc and MA (Japanese) as well as NAATI III accreditation for Japanese and Spanish. His working languages are English, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and Scandinavian languages.
Fahim Afarinasadi, Translation Project Manager
Fahim has been a Translation Project Manager at the Translation Service since February 2022. His expertise in Translation Studies lies in interpreting, localisation, and literary translation. His working languages are Persian and English. Fahim holds a PhD in Literary Translation Studies from Victoria University of Wellington. and English.
Haley Te Rire, Translation Project Manager
Haley Te Rire (Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau) joined the Translation Service as a Translation Project Manager in 2021, and has extensive experience as a translator, language teacher and project manager. She holds a degree in Spanish and Criminology as well as a Masters in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation. Her working languages are Spanish and English.
Jing Chen, Translator
Jing immigrated to New Zealand in 2001 from China, where she graduated with a BA from Shanghai Normal University. She also completed a PGDipEd from Victoria University of Wellington. She has been working at the Translation Service since 2005. Her working languages are Chinese and English.
Kirill Kleyman, Administration Officer
Kirill joined the Translation Service in January 2023. He began his journey in 2011 after leaving Russia to pursue his dream of studying at a high school in England. He arrived New Zealand in 2016. Kirill holds a diploma in Screen Production and Design at Yoobee College of Creative Innovation in Auckland. He also possesses a bachelor’s degree in Applied Management from Otago Polytechnic.
Koleta Kelekolio, Translation Project Manager
Koleta has extensive experience in multilingual desktop publishing and project management as well as a working grasp of the Samoan language. She is of Samoan (Siumu, Vaiusu) and Niuean (Hakupu) descent. Koleta holds a BA in Psychology from Massey University. She joined the Translation Service in 2019.
Lisa Martin, Translation Project Manager
Lisa came to New Zealand in 2008 from Northern Ireland, where she graduated with a BA in Business Studies from the University of Ulster. She has been working at the Translation Service since 2010, building skills and experience across several roles, and developing a strong interest in serving New Zealand’s diverse communities through translation.
Nicholas Edwards, Translation Project Manager
Nick studied Chinese at the University of Auckland where he also obtained a BSc degree majoring in Computer Science. He spent 3 years in Taiwan, immersing himself in Chinese language studies and working as a technical writer and translator. He holds full membership with NZSTI for Chinese to English translation. Nick joined the Translation Service in 2020.
Nuno Moreira, Translation Project Manager
Nuno was educated in Portugal and New Zealand. Graduated with a BA in Political Science and Italian from Victoria University, where he also completed papers in Spanish and French. He worked as a translator and editor of Romance languages in Portugal, UK and New Zealand and has more recently worked as a project manager in the translation industry for a number of companies in New Zealand and overseas. Nuno joined the Translation Service in 2022.
Quintin Ridgeway, Manager
Quintin joined the Translation Service in 2005. He holds an Executive MBA, a Master’s degree in Translation Studies and is a certified NAATI translator. He is a former president of NZSTI and has worked on policy around translation and interpreting. He has a strong interest in language, culture and language technologies.
Roland Idaczyk, Administration Officer
Roland has been working with The Translation Service since January 2017. He has 40 years of bilingual translation experience in the banking and information technology industries as well as in the physical sciences. His work has included German to English and English to German translations of legal, commercial, technical, scientific and general texts and documents.
Shieva Norusian, Translation Project Manager
Shieva joined the Translation Service in 2009 after working as a writer for a German television show in Berlin and a lifestyle magazine in Bangkok, and also as a freelance translator. She has a Diploma in Fine Arts and takes care of the Translation Service’s graphic design work. Her working languages are English and German, and she is currently studying Persian.
Suming Zhang, Administration Officer
Suming joined the Translation Service in 2016. She holds a BA (Hons) in Educational Studies from the University of Waikato and DipBA from WelTec. During her tenure with the team, she has developed skills, knowledge and gained experience in administration, project management and leadership. She has a profound passion for embracing cultural diversity, languages and connecting with people in Aotearoa and around the world.
Tineke Jannink, Translator
Tineke joined the Translation Service in November 2021. She holds a BA and LLB from the University of Otago and a Masters in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation from Victoria University of Wellington. She is currently working at the Translation Service part-time while she completes her Doctoral Studies in Court Interpreting. Her working languages are English, French and Chinese.
