Yovanka Tomitch

Hello – Kia Ora!
 
I am from Brazil and am French-educated. I lived in France for over 7 years and went to the university in Paris where I acquired a degree in Linguistics and a Master’s degree in Translation. I also have a degree in History, specialising in the history of the Americas, New Zealand and the Pacific.
 
I am a French, Spanish and Portuguese Translator and Interpreter and I have been a foreign-speaking tour guide for over 25 years with extensive knowledge of New Zealand and the Pacific.
I have a particular interest in the history of both New Zealand and the Pacific, the geography, flora and fauna of the region and this region’s place in the world. The heightened interest for the past several years in Polynesian and Maori history is another area that I am studying more deeply, in addition to their colonial history.
 
I travelled extensively (still do) before settling down in New Zealand in 1997.
I have been involved in promoting New Zealand and the Pacific with the international travel industry for 30 years as a travel consultant and an inbound tour operator, as well as a French, Portuguese and Spanish tour guide and lecturer.
 
In addition to my travel around New Zealand and the Pacific, I have been a lecturer on board the Ponant cruise ships for a number of years.
Languages spoken: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
 
Photo credit: ARR