SLIANZ Board
Jenn Gilbert – President
Term: 2/2
Based in: Wellington
Reb Guy – Treasurer
Term: 2/ 2
Based in: Auckland
I was born in Wellington but moved to Auckland when I was 4, so Auckland is where my roots sunk deep.
I got my first BA from the University of Auckland, majoring in art history and linguistics, and got my first taste of NZSL as part of a sociolinguistics topic. From there I worked and travelled, sticking mostly with jobs where I could use my love of English (copy writing, editing, theatre). I graduated with a BA in Interpreting NZSL-English in 2015 and have been working as a community and compulsory education interpreter ever since. I love my job.
I also love karaoke, board games and animals of all kinds.
Melissa Simchowitz – Secretary
Term: 1/ 2
Based in: Te Awakairangi – Lower Hutt, Wellington
Kia ora koutou,
Ko Melissa (Millie) tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō Ngāti Maniapoto, nō Te Nehenehenui. My sisters and I (triplets) were born in Hamilton and raised in Taranaki. Along with the three of us, we have four brothers and two more sisters, making us nine in total.
The journey to interpreting started in seventh form (year 13). I signed up for a NZSL night class with Lisa Masters (née Shand) which later led onto NZSL studies at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Following the path of many Vic alumni before me, I made my way to AUT where I graduated from the NZSL-English interpreting degree in 2014.
This will be my third stint as part of the SLIANZ committee/board and my first as secretary. I aim to deliver a high level of secretarial support, enabling the board to focus on our mission at hand, advancing and supporting the profession of quality NZSL interpreters.
Byron Gibbons – Board Member
Term: 1/2
Based in: Wellington
Tasha Henneker – Board Member
Based in: Auckland
Nō Nuhaka ahau, ko Tasha tōku ingoa.
I grew up in the village of Nuhaka on the East Coast, between Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.
While I was studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Māori Development, I took my first NZSL paper and became interested in interpreting. After finishing my first Degree, I went straight into Bachelor of Arts NZSL-English Interpreting. I graduated in December 2023, and have been solely interpreting ever since. Working as an interpreter has been amazing, with my favourite parts being the support from the community and the variety of settings we get to experience.
Outside of interpreting, my main hobbies are motorcycles and ancestry research.