Our People

Ken & Kerren Withington | Bay Tours & Charters

Ken & Kerren Withington

Owners

On reflection, with backgrounds in social services and vehicle workshop management respectively, perhaps it was inevitable that Kerren and Ken would end up owning a company like Bay Tours & Charters.

Self-employed for more than 25 years, their passion for customer service and hospitality is infectious and thirst for new destinations and experiences to share seemingly boundless.

Bay Tours operates very much in this spirit and the way we deliver for our customers reflects their shared values. They joke that having raised 4 boys, they’re prepared for anything.

Peter Hibbard

Operations Manager

After some 20 years in the wine trade in Britain and New Zealand, Peter found an opportunity at Bay Tours to combine his passion for, and knowledge of, wine with his outgoing personality and inquisitive nature.

Having joined the company as a Wine Tour Host/Driver in 2009, Peter now utilises his experience and attention to detail to ensure all our customers have a rewarding and seamless tour experience. Time was when Peter was involved with many different sports in his spare time. And the stories get bigger every year!

Katrina Crawley

Senior Tour Host / Driver

Another orchard dweller, Katrina is the voice of reason who keeps all the Bay Tours boys in line. Whilst born in our capital, Wellington, she has lived in Hawke’s Bay since her teenage years (so not long then!!).

Katrina and her family have been involved in commercial fruit growing for many years and she brings a wealth of knowledge about our region to her work with Bay Tours. With her warm personality and an eye for detail, Katrina has been hosting visitors on our tours since 2012.

Glenn Dagg

Senior Tour Host / Driver

Travelling extensively through many countries and enjoying different cultures and sights has given Glenn a deep appreciation for his home region of Hawke’s Bay and an understanding of what it has to offer local and international visitors.

With 8 Years under his belt in the Tourism Industry, Glenn has developed a reputation for sharing his knowledge of the region with great humour and passion. As a born-and-bred Hawke’s Bay boy, he knows every secret vantage point, fishing spot and million dollar view that’s out there. It’s not long before you have a smile on your face when Glenn’s around.

John Kiely

Tour Host / Driver

Customer satisfaction and delivering a superb tour experience is what drives John. With a professional background in hotel management and marketing, he thoroughly understands what it takes to deliver consistently high service.

We reckon there isn’t anything John can’t turn his hand to. With a wide range of interests, John thoroughly enjoys meeting new people and showing them around his beloved Hawke’s Bay.

Bruce Nilon

Tour Host / Driver

From picking grapes at one of Bordeaux’s top Chateau and running kitchens in Switzerland to owning an IT business back here in NZ, Bruce has packed a lot into life so far. With extensive international hospitality experience, he brings a global perspective to our winery and sightseeing tours. Bruce enjoys skiing, swimming and fly fishing in his spare time.

Tanya Leyland

Administration & Tour Support

Call us here at Bay Tours and it’s highly likely that the first person you’ll speak to will be Tanya. Having come to New Zealand from her native Britain some 25 years ago, Tanya has called Hawke’s Bay home since before the turn of the millennium.

A professional background in hospitality and banking has been tailor-made for Tanya’s role at Bay Tours. A talented multi-tasker who can also slip into a Tour Host capacity when the opportunity arises. In her spare time Tanya enjoys exploring ‘ the road less travelled’ with her husband in their campervan.