Our People

We are a team that loves meeting new people and showcasing our home region. We have worked hard to ensure all our tours will include the best spots in the various areas.

As Xplor’s tour guides we all strive to give you not just a factual tour but one that includes lots of interaction, laughs and fun, with a surprise or two along the way.

Richard Bialy

Richard has lived in Wellington all his life. He graduated from Wellington’s Victoria University with a Commerce Degree majoring in Accounting and has spent most of his working life in Finance and Human Resources. His love for travel has seen him visit many countries in the world, and he has organised numerous guided overseas trips for family, friends and acquaintances to visit Australia, Canada and the USA. Richard knows what tourists are looking for when they arrive in a foreign country. His easy-going personality ensures you will enjoy your tour as he strives to meet your expectations with a laugh or two along the way.

Lynn Bialy

Lynn has lived in Wellington all her life. After raising their three children at home, she returned to the corporate world and has worked mainly as an Executive Assistant to General Managers. Lynn now works solely for Xplor Tours managing the finance and marketing side of the company, and helping her husband Richard in making Xplor Tours the operator everyone wants to use when they have their Wellington adventure. Lynn has accompanied Richard on overseas tours and knows what makes a top tour. She enjoys adding the personal touches to Xplor Tours and she may even be a guide on some of the tours.

Gunde Knudsen

Gunde is a Wellingtonian has lived in the region all her life. She enjoys living in and being part of such a diverse and cultural city as Wellington. Its compactness as a capital city means it has something for everybody to enjoy. Having travelled extensively herself, Gunde appreciates what tourists are looking for and how to provide the best possible service, when they arrive in a foreign country. She enjoys meeting and welcoming our visitors to Wellington, while also organising and ensuring the tours are enjoyable for all. Her favourite tour to guide is the Xplor Tours full day tour of Wellington, which takes you from one side of Wellington to the other, and includes 360° views, rugged coastlines, surf beaches, Botanical Gardens, quaint villages, old churches, Museums, The Beehive (NZ Parliament). You also get to ride the Cable Car and snap great photos from the top. Gunde enjoys sport and getting up the mountain for a bit of skiing when she can. Her love of travel and beautiful beaches take care of the summer months while her interest in the arts and design blend well into Wellington’s culture.

Barbara Bialy

Barb is Richard’s sister and she has a passion for travel. She has visited many places in the world and knows what makes a successful tour guide. She has a great personality and knowledge of Wellington and will ensure your adventure with Xplor Tours is enjoyable and memorable.

Eddie Zyskowski

Eddie has lived most of his life in Wellington and operated as a taxi driver, so he knows his way around our city very well. He also knows many quirky facts about Wellington and will pass these on as he drives you around the different parts of Wellington.

Brian Hall

Brian is a Chartered Accountant and has lived in Wellington all his life. He has had senior management and financial roles in the commercial sector. He enjoys his sports, played senior cricket and has been a rugby administrator. He enjoys meeting people and sharing the highlights of Wellington while taking you on his tour.

Ray Meadows

“Young at heart, slightly older otherwise”. Ray is one of the best guides in Wellington and brings to the team enthusiasm, fun, laughter and endless fascinating little- known facts about the places and things he will show you.

Rob Snelling

Rob comes from a Corporate background as a Managing Director for a nationwide organisation. He left the corporate world to pursue his love of connecting with people. Rob is a passionate Kiwi who loves showcasing what we have to offer in our magical part of the world.