{{Short description|New Zealand businessman}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Mike Pero | honorific_suffix = | image = Mike Pero on The Cafe.jpg | alt = | caption = Pero in 2018 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1960|2|26}} | birth_place = Christchurch, New Zealand | death_date = | death_place = | body_discovered = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | monuments = | other_names = | known_for = Mortgages<br>Real Estate<br>Motorsport | television = The Apprentice Aotearoa | education = Shirley Boys High School | alma_mater = | employer = | organisation = | notable works = | style = | occupation = | years_active = | title = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | movement = | opponents = | boards = | spouse = Rachel Pero | partner = | children = Four | parents = | relations = | awards = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = {{URL|https://mikepero.co.nz}} | footnotes = }} '''Michael Pero''' (born 26 February 1960)<ref name=book>{{Cite book | last = Pero | first = Mike | author2=Colin Amodeo | title = Mike Pero – More than Mortgages | publisher = Wilson Scott | year = 2004 | location = New Zealand | isbn = 0-9582356-6-X}}</ref> is a New Zealand businessman and entrepreneur.
== Professional history == Pero founded his mortgage broking business in 1991.<ref name=franchise>{{Cite web | title = Mike Pero Mortgages – Franchises | url = http://www.mikepero.co.nz/franchises | access-date = 22 May 2013 }}</ref> In 2011, Pero established a real estate company under the same brand name.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Mortgage man Mike Pero now selling houses | url = http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/mortgage-man-mike-pero-now-selling-houses-4024978 | access-date = 20 May 2013 }}</ref>
In recent surveys, Colmar Brunton reported <ref name=franchise /> that the Pero brand awareness was significantly higher than all other mortgage brokers and most people surveyed considered Mike Pero Mortgages to be New Zealand's most trusted mortgage adviser.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Mike Pero Mortgages |url = http://www.uniquelynelson.co.nz/mike-pero-mortgages-98.html |access-date = 21 May 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130709034353/http://www.uniquelynelson.co.nz/mike-pero-mortgages-98.html |archive-date = 9 July 2013 }}</ref>
In 1999 and 2003, Pero won the New Zealand Pacific Business Award for categories Business of the Year, <ref>{{Cite web |title = Pacific Business – A night to remember |url = http://www.pacificbusiness.co.nz/anighttoremember/ |access-date = 20 May 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130205150211/http://www.pacificbusiness.co.nz/anighttoremember/ |archive-date = 5 February 2013 }}</ref> and Business Person of the Year. <ref>{{Cite web | title = Mike Pero | url = http://www.liveupdater.com/speakers/livearticle.asp?ArtID=858897851 | access-date = 22 May 2013 }}</ref>
In 2003, Mike Pero Mortgages was named the Westpac Franchise of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Mike Pero received award for services to the mortgage broking industry | url = http://www.franchisebusiness.co.nz/c/Mike-Pero-Mortgages/Mike-Pero-received-award-for-services-to-the-mortgage-broking-industry-n889065 | access-date = 22 May 2013 }}</ref> In 2014, Mike Pero Real Estate was ranked 23rd in the Deloitte Fast 50 with 327.8% growth, which placed it 6th in the category of ‘Retail or consumer product’.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Mike Pero Real Estate Ranks 23rd in Deloitte Fast 50 | url = http://www.mikepero.com/news-144/ | access-date = 24 September 2014 }}</ref>
Pero was a founding member of the NZ Mortgage Brokers Association and recognised for his services to the Mortgage Broking Industry of New Zealand – he was the first recipient of the Geoff Chong Memorial Trophy in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Franchise Awards 2003 – Full Results | url = http://www.franchise.co.nz/article/134 | access-date = 21 May 2013 }}</ref>
Mike Pero Real Estate grew to 60 (approx.) offices across New Zealand located from Invercargill to the far north with over 200 licensed real estate agents.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://mikepero.com/about/|title=New Zealand Property {{!}} Mike Pero Real Estate|access-date=2019-10-17}}</ref> Mike Pero Real Estate was acquired by Raine & Horne on 28 March 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raine & Horne officially acquires Mike Pero Real Estate, expanding its presence in New Zealand |url=https://www.raineandhorne.co.nz/news/news-media/raine-horne-officially-acquires-mike-pero-real-estate-expanding-its-presence-in-new-zealand |publisher=Raine & Horne NZ |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref>
As a community focused company, Mike Pero Real Estate formed the Mike Pero Foundation in 2014. Since then they have helped to raise funds of over $500,000 for the local community.<ref name=":0" />
In February 2017 Pero opened what he believes to be New Zealand's first permanent public display of classic Japanese motorcycles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nzmotorracing.co.nz/2017/02/28/mike-pero-opens-classic-japanese-motorcycle-gallery/|title=Mike Pero opens classic Japanese Motorcycle Gallery|date=2017-02-28|website=NZ Motor Racing|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-17}}</ref> Mike Pero's Motorcycle Gallery displays more than 60 motorcycles from the 70s, 80s and 90s – loaned from owners and collectors nationwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://motorcyclegallery.co.nz/|title=Mike Pero's Motorcycle Gallery Christchurch - 70's, 80's & 90's Japanese Classics|last=admin|website=Motorcycle Gallery|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-17}}</ref> Pero hopes that the gallery gives the general public an opportunity to appreciate some classic machines they haven't seen before or have wanted to see again.
In July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pero announced plans for a new airline, Pasifika Air, connecting Christchurch and Rarotonga.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/economy/item/77756-the-wings-of-hope |title=The wings of hope |author=Katrina Tanirau |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=15 July 2020 |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=12350774 |title=Jet Raro eyes Virgin B737 fleet as Cook Islands air bridge fails to appear |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=24 July 2020 |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref> In June 2021, it was announced that the plans for the airline have been abandoned.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445130/plans-for-new-airline-for-pacific-scrapped |title=Plans for new airline for Pacific scrapped |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=20 June 2021 |access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref>
== Personal life == Pero was brought up with his two siblings Iain and Shelly in the suburb of Wainoni in Christchurch. His father Tom (Tukaka Te Ariki Pero) was born in Rarotonga, Cook Islands (died 7 December 2012) while his Mother Angela Christine Iwikau (formerly Pero; née Langford) was born in Bath, England 2 August 1940.<ref name=book />
Pero is married to Rachel Pero (née Sanchez) and lives in Christchurch.<ref name=magazine>{{Cite web | title = The romantic side of Mike Pero | url = http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/real-life/article/-/7405823/the-romantic-side-of-mike-pero/ | access-date = 22 May 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140108050449/http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/real-life/article/-/7405823/the-romantic-side-of-mike-pero/ | archive-date = 8 January 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref> In December 2019 he announced plans to move to the Cook Islands and that he was building a home on family land near Matavera.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cookislandsnews.com/national/local/item/75289-world-s-richest-cook-islander-is-returning-home |title=World's 'richest' Cook Islander is returning home |author=Moana Makapelu Lee |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=14 December 2019 |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
=== Sporting achievements === Pero was six times National Motorcycle Road Racing Champion, <ref name=motorcycling>{{Cite web | title = Mike Pero makes his mark on the track | url = http://www.drivesouth.co.nz/news/latest-news/mike-pero-makes-his-mark-on-the-track | access-date = 21 May 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140108060621/http://www.drivesouth.co.nz/news/latest-news/mike-pero-makes-his-mark-on-the-track | archive-date = 8 January 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref> from 1977 to 1982, twice 350cc & 500cc racing class as well as two times in the 410cc Production Series. <ref>{{Cite web | title = Mike Pero to ride former Grand Prix motorcycle | url = http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2012/10/mike-pero-to-ride-former-grand-prix-motorcycle/ | access-date = 19 June 2013 }}</ref> Pero set the New Zealand land speed record for a 350cc motorcycle in 1979. The record of 238 km/h still stands today.<ref name=magazine />
Pero is patron for Motorcycling New Zealand.<ref name=motorcycling />
Pero has a strong passion for Motorsport and the Mike Pero Racing Team flies the flag for the brand in the V8 SuperTourers Series with Greg Murphy as the team driver.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Greg Murphy | url = http://www.v8st.co.nz/drivers/9-drivers/116-greg-murphy.html | access-date = 23 May 2013 }}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pero, Mike}} Category:Living people Category:1960 births Category:New Zealand businesspeople Category:Businesspeople from Christchurch Category:New Zealand people of Cook Island descent