Mike Puru
Mike Puru | |
---|---|
Mike Puru in 2017 | |
Born |
Mike Puru 20 August 1975 Gore, New Zealand |
Residence | Arch Hill, Auckland, New Zealand |
Education | St Peter's College (1987–1993) |
Occupation | The Café host |
Years active | 1995–present |
Partner(s) | Anton Chartier |
Mike Puru (born 20 August 1975)[1] is a New Zealand TV personality and former radio DJ/presenter who spent two decades working at radio station The Edge, first on its night show and then its breakfast show from 1995 until 2015. Puru has also worked on New Zealand's Shopping Channel Yesshop from 2012 until it ceased transmission in 2016.
From 2015 until 2016 Puru hosted season one and two of New Zealand's The Bachelor show on Three. Puru then started working as one of the current hosts along side Mel Homer on The Cafe which is also broadcast on Three.
Early life
Mike Puru was born in Gore, New Zealand. His family lived in the small town of Waikoikoi, New Zealand up until Puru was nine years old. Puru attended St Peter's College in Gore from 1987 to 1993.[2]
Early career and education
Puru started working in radio and television after he finished high school in 1993. Puru occasionally worked in regular high school theatre productions. Puru set up his own radio show for St Peter's College and helped with broadcasting regular events, broadcasting the Radio Show from Invercargill.[3]
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 moved to Auckland.[4]
Career
From 1995 up until 2015, Puru was one of the Radio DJs for the New Zealand radio station 'The Edge'.
In October 2012, Puru became one of the inaugural TV presenters on the short-lived The Shopping Channel (New Zealand), New Zealand's first and only 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. On 11 December, he officially left The Edge and was replaced by Clinton Randell, renaming the station's breakfast show The Jay-Jay, Dom & Randell Show.
From 2016, Puru went on to hosting the second season of The Bachelor but was not selected as the host for the third season.[8][9][10][11] He is also the current host of Three's morning show The Cafe.
Personal life
Puru came out on air as gay in 2010, and shortly after announced his engagement to his partner of eight years, Regan Wallis. In May 2012 Puru confirmed the relationship was over.[12]
References
- ↑ "Mike Puru NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
- ↑ "Mike Puru (1987-1993)". www.stpetersgore.school.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ↑ "Mike Puru (1987-1993)". www.stpetersgore.school.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ↑ "Gore youth recognised at awards". Stuff. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ↑ Shopping for new channel hosts The New Zealand Herald 2012-07-01
- ↑ It's a big day for mike and Dom The Edge Radio News 2012-10-01
- ↑ Video: Eva Longoria on The Shopping Channel Throng.co.nz 2012-10-05
- ↑ "All about love for Puru". Stuff. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ↑ "‘Obviously he’s not a very good kisser’". NewsComAu. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ↑ "Nine hosts to fill in while Paul Henry holidays". The National Business Review. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ↑ "'I’m disappointed and I’m angry': Mike Puru, the nicest man in NZ show business, has finally had enough". The Spinoff. 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
- ↑ "At my place: TV host Mike Puru talks about his Kiwiana home". Stuff. Retrieved 2016-12-22.