Meet Our Team

Hi, I’m a third generation born and bred kiwi. My father was a bit of a gypsy which meant we travelled a lot and I grew up in a variety of places. This is how I developed the passion for travel and exploring new places. I currently live in the best region within New Zealand – The Bay of Plenty – at a spectacular seaside resort called Mount Maunganui – and I love it. I co-founded Zealandier Tours back in 2006 and over the years we have developed this business into a totally complete travel hub. We are all passionate about not only our region, but all of New Zealand. National Geographic call us the “World in Miniature” and it is such an appropriate title as we have something to offer everybody who visits.

I am most passionate about sharing our local iwi – Maori people’s stories and culture, along with our active geothermal volcanic zone and abundance of natural resources. I was a nurse in my first life (as I call it), business developments next and tourism has been my third vocation of choice. Its been a great transition from each vocation to now, I am caring, I am business focused and passionate about our country, people and travel.

We cater to many types of traveller, – cruise ship passenger shore excursions, local senior travellers,  solo travellers, inbound international traveller, transport transfers, conference delegates and partners tours, outbound traveller and the faith based pilgrimage traveller. I am surrounded by a fantastic team of people who make this business all possible.

We do what we love, and we love what we do.

I lived in the USA and Australia for a time but came back home to settle down. There is no place in the world like NZ. I have 2 daughters , I am fortunate to work from home, enjoy my surroundings of natural forest and totally love my lifestyle. Travel is in my blood – I am Jan’s daughter, and born to travel.

I was born in England and came to New Zealand’s South island as a young child. We moved to the Waikato in the North Island where I completed my schooling and a management degree and then owned a bookshop. I met and married Carena and in 1986 the family started working with the Baptist church in starting new churches and restoring ones that were fading and we are still involved today. Stephen and Carena have lived in Tauranga in the lovely Bay of Plenty for the past 23 years and are now living at Omokoroa ( a beach suburb 25kms north of the city ) enjoying the beach and scenery. I have been a bus driver for a number of years and over the past four have been a tour guide for Zealandier Tours.

Kia Ora, I’m a fifth generation New Zealander. Apart from six years in Auckland, I have lived all my life in the aptly named Bay of Plenty region where I enjoy fishing, camping, biking and walking. I’ve had a varied working life starting with a career in banking,  held various management roles, truck driver, forklift driver and I have finally found my passion as a tour guide/driver with Zealandier Tours.  I am passionate about New Zealand, our history and Maori Culture. My favourite tour is to Whakarewarewa Village in Rotorua where Maori still live among the geothermal activity and continue to use these resources as their ancestors did. My focus is always looking after our visitors and insuring they have the best possible experience while touring with Zealandier Tours.

Originally from Germany, my wife Gabi and I emigrated to the beautiful Bay of Plenty New Zealand in 1999, where we had our son a few years later. I am a trained automotive engineer and worked for the last 18 years as an automotive tutor in Tauranga and Whakatane. My family and I live on a small lifestyle block accompanied by a dog and 4 chickens. I began as a tour guide with Zealandier Tours in 2018. Through my passion of the outdoors and outdoor activities, specifically white-water kayaking (in my younger days!) and my love of travel, I was drawn to share a slice of ‘New Zealand paradise’ with you. I am always excited to meet new people from different places of the world and I hope to see you soon!

Hi I’m Steve, a very proud New Zealander. I grew up and was educated in Wellington – our capital city. In my early 20’s I set off to London (UK) for work and discovered the rest of the globe whenever I could, travelling to many countries including the USA, Canada, Central America, Asia, Europe as well as Egypt, Morocco, Turkey.  I returned home to Aotearoa NZ in my late 20’s and realised just how amazing this clean-green little country of ours is and what it offers us in terms of lifestyle and the great outdoors. Our small country has so much to see and do and is well known as a nation of friendly people. Let me be your ambassador for the day in showing you around two great regions, the Bay of Plenty and Waikato during your stay.

A born and bred kiwi ( New Zealander) who has extensively traveled the globe living and working in London England and Europe plus USA for two years plus I not only love to travel myself but love meeting new people.

Zealandier tours is a wonderful way to show people where I live and have enjoyed living and holidaying all my life.

Real estate was my passion for over 33 years and golf also became a passion for me, plus I enjoy other various sports  I’ve been involved in.

Now supposedly retired I enjoy being able to help others enjoy this beautiful country I’m privileged to live in.

I’ve done many supporting roles as a volenteer. Now living in a beautiful Lifestyle Retirement village on the beach I’m able help you enjoy Mt Maunganui.

Hi, I’m a third-generation kiwi and was born into a dairy farming family in the Waikato area. I started my schooling in Hamilton and finished it at Mt Maunganui. I loved living in the mount especially as we lived on Marine Parade and I spent most of my time surfing and was heavily involved in surf lifesaving at the Omanu Club. My first job in accounting lasted 5yrs and my second in finance/banking lasted some 38yrs. During these years I was transferred around NZ holding various management roles until I retired as a business banking manager while living in Whangaparaoa.

I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren, some of them are living in Australia and Edinburgh. On retirement my current partner and I returned to the Mount to live. My interests have now changed with Golf taking priority along with trips away in the motorhome and of course biking, walking and spending long hours at the beach. Having been on many trips overseas and involved in various tours myself while travelling I am really looking forward to showing our visitors around this great part of NZ.

Hi, I’m very much a local. I was raised and educated here in the Bay of Plenty. I’m a 4th Generation New Zealander. My relatives were early settlers in the South Island.

I played Rugby, a Rower and was a surfer. I still participate in many outdoor activities, cycling, walking and hunting. I have an active interest in old Jaguar cars and classic Military Vehicles.

My professional career as a Director of a very successful NZ Company took me to a great number of Countries in the world. During my down time between appointments I took many tours/excursions, some good and some bad. I know what is required to make a successful tour. My commitment to our passengers is ” I will give you on our tour the highest professional standard that I expected as a client. That is my commitment”. I look forward to meeting you on our tours.

Kia ora. I’m a Kiwi, born and bred. I am married with four daughters and three grandchildren. I shifted to the sunny Bay of Plenty with my family twenty years ago and love the lifestyle here. I have been a teacher for over forty years and now provide day-to-day relief work at several schools in Tauranga.

I enjoy the outdoor lifestyle as well as running, cycling, and surfing. I have travelled to several places around the world and realise how fortunate I am to live in a country like NZ. Māori culture is an important aspect of our NZ schooling, and I am keen to share this with you, along with our wonderful country.

I’m a proud third-generation New Zealander of Irish and Scottish descent. I’m married with three adult children and four wonderful grandchildren.

I’ve travelled to various corners of the world and lived in the stunning Bay of Plenty for 17 years. My background includes retail, hospitality, real estate and these experiences have given me a genuine appreciation for people, a love of meeting new faces, and an understanding of what makes a memorable experience.

I’m delighted to share this special part of New Zealand with visitors from around the globe. With my local knowledge, enthusiasm and friendly nature, I look forward to introducing you to the region’s beautiful surroundings, unique character and local treasures.

Hi, I’m a born and bred Kiwi with 3 grown up kids. I’ve lived around the Waikato/Bay of plenty area most of my life and now live on a small rural lifestyle property in the Papamoa hills.

I have a background in engineering and the shipping industry. I have often considered a lifestyle change in the tourism industry and Zealandier Tours has offered me that opportunity. I enjoy travel, cars, motorcycles, beach life, caravan/camping holidays. My wife and I have also embarked on a number of cruises over the last 15 years and enjoy the ease and hassle free holiday experience they bring.

I look forward to meeting you and sharing with you a taste of this wonderful part of New Zealand.

I spent most of my life on a dairy farm in the Mighty Waikato and did my schooling in Matamata – near the home of the Hobbits (although they didn’t exist back then).

In the 80’s we moved to Papamoa to live beside – and enjoy – our lovely beach. I’m married, with two children and four grandchildren (my “Grandies”).

My Work: Spent many years in the shipping industry in a range of administration roles. Now I’m very happy to be part of the Zealandier Tours office Team, where I help with your bookings and requests and logistics to streamline your tour to create a memorable excursion experience here in the Bay of Plenty.

Munchen the bear was born in Munich in Germany in 2010 and has travelled to Greece, Australia, Norfolk Island and Israel as well as many other places around New Zealand (and has the badges to show for it). He often comes on Zealandiers’ tours especially to Rotorua with Stephen. He is a great friend and companion especially to the younger children on the tours.