Tineke Jannink

Tineke’s research focuses on the intersection of language and the law, researching court interpreting practices in New Zealand.

Smilng young blonde woman with long hair

Thesis title

Interpreting Mode in New Zealand Criminal Trials: An Investigation of Practice and Professional Perspectives

Supervisors

A/Prof Rachel McKee and Prof Marco Sonzogni

About

Tineke completed her PhD in Applied Linguistics at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington in June 2026. She is the currently holds the role of Ian Gordon Post-Doctoral Fellow within the school.

As an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, with experience of working in both the legal profession and the Translation industry, Tineke brings a unique positionality to her research, which focuses on the intersection between these two areas of practice.

In her doctoral research, Tineke investigated the practices of court interpreters in New Zealand criminal trials, identifying the correspondence and gaps between official guidelines, academic literature, practitioner perspectives and evidence of court interpreting and practice.

Tineke’s PhD research found that at present there is high degree of nuance and variation with both interpreting mode and practices for interaction management in interpreter-mediated criminal trials, which can be influenced by a variety of intersecting factors. 

The study highlighted that there is a high level of co-operation between interpreters and legal professionals in this space, but that these experiences can vary. Interpreters and legal professionals appear to be under-prepared to work alongside one another, with limited training opportunities available for understanding the needs and expectations of the other party.

In her post-doctoral study, Tineke looks to address this gap and is investigating what a feasible and sustainable interprofessional education programme for interpreters, lawyers and judges could look like in the New Zealand context.

Education

PhD in Applied Linguistics (graduating in December 2026) – Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Associate Fellow – Advance HE
Masters in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation – Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Professional Legal Studies – Institute of Professional Legal Studies
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Language and Linguistics) – University of Otago

Publications

Journal articles:
Jannink, T., McKee, R., & Sonzogni, M. (in preparation). Co-operative Practice in Interpreted Criminal Trials.

Jannink, T. (under review). Observing Court Interpreting In Situ.

Jannink, T. (2022). Culture and the Court Interpreter: An examination of current literature on dealing with potential intercultural miscommunication in the criminal court. NEKE. The New Zealand Journal of Translation Studies, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.26686/neke.v5i1.7529

Practitioner publications:
Jarvis, K., & Jannink, T. (2020). Use of the ‘f’ word with Covid-19. The Property Lawyer, 20(4) 21-22.

Jarvis, K., Short, A., Jannink, T., & Stedman, R. (2020). The Covid-19 wage subsidy and your business – where to from here? Webb Farry Lawyers. https://www.webbfarry.co.nz/files/1597285652620.pdf

Vincent, L., Jarvis, K., & Jannink, T. (2020). Locking down Easter. Webb Farry Lawyers. https://www.webbfarry.co.nz/files/1586412645294.pdf

Media coverage:
Jannink, T. (in preparation). What does access to justice look like when you don’t speak English?  Sunday Star Times.

Lewis, J. (2025, September 27). Guidelines on court interpreting in need of reform: researcher. Otago Daily Times, 7. https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/guidelines-on-court-interpreting-in-need-of-reform-researcher-yi5ms5vg

Bathgate, B. (2025, June 24). From Afar to Zulu: The 103-plus languages that required translation in court, and the cost. Waikato Times. https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/360732341/afar-zulu-130-plus-languages-required-translation-court-and-cost

Conference and poster presentations:
Jannink, T. (September 2026). Designing Interprofessional Training for Court Interpreters, Lawyers & Judges in New Zealand [Conference presentation]. Conference of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. Christchurch, New Zealand.

Antonopoulos, J., Jannink, T., Marianacci, A., Padilla Silva, W., & Yacoumis, L. (September 2026). Interpreters’ Solutions Workshop – From conversation to action [Panel discussion]. Conference of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. Christchurch, New Zealand.

Jannink, T. (September 2025). What’s Really Happening in Practice? An Empirical Examination of Mode Usage in New Zealand Criminal Trials [Conference presentation]. Conference of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. Wellington, New Zealand.

Jannink, T. (June 2025). Interpreting Mode in New Zealand Criminal Trials: An investigation of practice and professional perspective [Poster presentation]. Public Lecture of Dr. Corinne Seals hosed by the Centre for Justice Innovation. Wellington, New Zealand.

Jannink, T. (November 2024). Interpreting Mode in New Zealand Criminal Courts [Conference presentation]. Australasian Law Academics Association Conference. Melbourne, Australia.

Afarinasadi, F., Jannink, T., & Said Majeed, A. (November 2024). Trends and Future Directions in the Translation Industry [Conference presentation]. Australasian Law Academics Association Conference. Melbourne, Australia.

Jannink, T. (September 2024). Interpreting Mode in New Zealand Criminal Courts [Conference presentation]. Conference of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. Auckland, New Zealand.

Jannink, T., & Afarinasadi, F. (November 2023). Ensuring Accuracy, Consistency and Confidentiality in Official Document Translation [Conference presentation]. Conference of Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators. Sydney, Australia.

Jannink, T. (July 2023). The Right to be Linguistically Present: Interpreting Mode in New Zealand Courts [Conference presentation]. Australasian Law Academics Association Conference. Christchurch, New Zealand.

Jannink, T. (May 2021). The Role of the Court Interpreter [Conference presentation]. Conference of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. Online.

Practitioner workshops:
Jannink, T. (May 2025). Grappling with Legal Terminology as an NZSL Interpreter. [workshop]. Connect Interpreting. Online.

Jannink, T. (August 2023). The Source Language, the Target Language, and the Legal Language [workshop]. New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. Online.