Les Mills facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Les Mills CNZM MBE JP
36th Mayor of Auckland City
In office 1990–1998
Preceded by	Catherine Tizard
Succeeded by	Christine Fletcher
Personal details
Born	Leslie Roy Mills (1934-11-01)1 November 1934 Auckland, New Zealand
Died	29 June 2026(2026-06-29) (aged 91)
Spouse	Colleen Maree Mills (d. 2005)
Children	2; including Phillip
Les Mills Personal information Height 188 cm Weight 121 kg Sport Sport Athletics Event(s) Shot put, discus throw Club Auckland Achievements and titles Personal best(s) Shot put – 19.80 m (1967) Discus – 61.52 m (1971) Medal record Men's athletics Representing  New Zealand Commonwealth Games Silver 1958 Cardiff Discus throw Gold 1966 Kingston Discus throw Silver 1966 Kingston Shot put Silver 1970 Edinburgh Discus throw Bronze 1970 Edinburgh Shot put

Leslie Roy Mills, known as Les Mills, was a remarkable New Zealander. He was a talented athlete, a successful businessman, and a respected politician. For over twenty years, he proudly represented New Zealand in the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. He competed in events like the shot put and discus throw, winning five medals at the Commonwealth Games, including a gold medal in discus in 1966.

Beyond sports, Les Mills started his first gym in 1968. This led to the famous company, Les Mills International, which his son Phillip later grew into a global fitness brand. Les Mills also served as the mayor of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, from 1990 to 1998. He passed away on June 29, 2026, at the age of 91.

Who Was Les Mills?

A Champion Athlete

Early Sporting Days

Les Mills showed his talent early. In 1952, he won New Zealand Junior titles in both shot put and discus. He continued to train hard and compete at the highest levels.

Olympic and Commonwealth Games Highlights

Les Mills was a true Olympian. He captained the New Zealand team and carried the flag at the 1960 Summer Olympics. He also carried the flag again at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He competed in four Olympic Games in total.

He achieved great success at the Commonwealth Games. He won a silver medal in discus in 1958. In 1966, he won a gold medal in discus and a silver medal in shot put. He added more medals in 1970, with a silver in discus and a bronze in shot put. These five medals showed his dedication and skill.

Coaching and Records

After his own competing days, Les Mills shared his knowledge. He became the National Sports Director for Papua New Guinea from 1974 to 1976. Later, he was the first Director of Coaching in Athletics for New Zealand. He even coached the New Zealand team at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

He trained many athletes, including Beatrice Faumuina, a famous discus thrower. Les Mills held the New Zealand national record for shot put for 44 years! This amazing record was finally broken in 2011 by 16-year-old Jacko Gill.

Leading Auckland City

Becoming Mayor of Auckland

In 1990, Les Mills became the Mayor of Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city. He started this role after a special election. His time as mayor began when many smaller towns merged to form one larger Auckland City. He helped manage this big change.

Big Projects in Auckland

During his time as mayor, many important things happened in Auckland. The Aotea Centre, a large performing arts venue, opened. The city also started using green "wheelie bins" for rubbish collection. Water use began to be measured and charged. Some city-owned places, like golf courses, were leased to private companies. The city also sold some properties that were no longer needed.

Other major projects included starting work on the America's Cup Village at the Auckland Viaduct. The famous Sky Tower and its casino complex were also built and opened, changing Auckland's skyline. The historic Civic Theatre and Auckland Town Hall were also renovated.

Challenges and Changes

Les Mills faced some challenges too. In 1998, a major power outage affected much of the inner city. His plans for the Britomart Transport Centre also received some criticism. People felt the plans focused too much on property development and not enough on transport. His successor, Christine Fletcher, later led plans for a smaller Britomart Station.

Interestingly, Les Mills was away for most of his final election campaign in 1998. He was busy leading the New Zealand team at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and mentoring Beatrice Faumuina, who won a gold medal in discus.

Recognitions and Legacy

Les Mills received several important awards for his contributions. In 1973, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to sport. Later, in 2002, he became a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for his work in local government and sports.

In 2022, Les Mills, along with his son Phillip and daughter-in-law Jackie Mills, were honored by being inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame. This recognized their significant impact on business.

Remembering Les Mills

Les Mills passed away on June 29, 2026, at the age of 91. He left behind a remarkable legacy as an athlete, a leader, and a businessman who inspired many.