Mike Puru

Mike Puru (born 20 August 1975) is a New Zealand TV host and former radio DJ. While previously working at radio station The Edge from 1995 until 2015, Puru then hosted the first two seasons of The Bachelor New Zealand on Three. Along with Mel Homer, as of February 2020, he co-hosted the morning television show The Cafe from 2016 until May 2020.[1]

Mike Puru
Mike Puru in 2018
Born
Michael Puru

(1975-08-20) 20 August 1975
Gore, New Zealand
EducationSt Peter's College (1987–1993)
Years active1995–present

Mike also hosts the afternoon show on The Hits radio station with Stacey Morrison and Anika Moa.

Early life

On 20 August 1975,[2] Mike Puru was born in Gore, New Zealand. His family lived in the small town of Waikoikoi, New Zealand until he was nine years old. Puru attended St Peter's College in Gore from 1987 to 1993.[3]

Early career and education

Puru started working in radio and television after he finished high school in 1993. Puru set up an hour-long radio show for St Peter's College to present weekly events from Invercargill.[3]

Mike also had involvement with the Gore Operatic Society and he played the lead role in West Otago Theatrical Society production of Joseph.

During his final year at St Peter's College, Puru became head boy, and then left to pursue his career in radio and television by attending NZ Broadcasting School. He later moved to Hamilton for seven years and then to Auckland.[4]

Career

From 1995 until 2015, Puru was one of the radio DJs for the New Zealand radio station The Edge.

In October 2012, he became one of the inaugural TV presenters on New Zealand's first, but short-lived Yesshop home shopping channel.[5] A career highlight included interviewing Eva Longoria live on air during the Hollywood star's brief first visit to New Zealand as a guest of The Shopping Channel.[6][7]

On 7 December 2015, Puru announced he was leaving The Edge, and did so officially on 11 December. He was replaced by Clinton Randell and the station's breakfast show was renamed The Jay-Jay, Dom & Randell Show.

In 2016 Puru continued as host for the second season of The Bachelor, but was not selected to host its third season.[8][9][10][11] He was co-host of Three's morning show The Cafe from 2016 until May 2020.[12]

Puru became a host of The Hits along with Stacey Morrison in 2019. Anika Moa joined the show later in 2019.

Personal life

Puru came out on air as gay in 2010, and shortly after he announced his engagement to his partner of eight years. However, in May 2012 he confirmed the relationship was over.[13][14]

See also

References
  1. https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/121653394/tv-host-mike-puru-axed-from-the-cafe-im-used-to-getting-dumped
  2. "Mike Puru NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  3. "Mike Puru (1987–1993)". www.stpetersgore.school.nz. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  4. "Gore youth recognised at awards". Stuff. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  5. Shopping for new channel hosts The New Zealand Herald 2012-07-01
  6. It's a big day for mike and Dom Archived 23 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine The Edge Radio News 2012-10-01
  7. Video: Eva Longoria on The Shopping Channel Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine Throng.co.nz 2012-10-05
  8. "All about love for Puru". Stuff. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  9. "'Obviously he's not a very good kisser'". NewsComAu. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  10. "Nine hosts to fill in while Paul Henry holidays". The National Business Review. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  11. "'I'm disappointed and I'm angry': Mike Puru, the nicest man in NZ show business, has finally had enough". The Spinoff. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  12. "TV3 announces new morning show". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  13. "The Man with the Edge". gayexpress.co.nz. express Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  14. "At my place: TV host Mike Puru talks about his Kiwiana home". Stuff. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
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