Les Mills

Les Mills, 91, died on June 29, 2026. Les Mills was known publicly as a New Zealand Olympic shot put and discus thrower (1964, 1972) and politician and mayor of Auckland City (1990–1998). Leslie Roy Mills (born 1 November 1934) is a New Zealand retired track and field athlete, businessman, and politician. He represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games over two decades, competing in the shot put and discus throw. He won a total of five medals at the Commonwealth Games including gold in the discus at the 1966 Games. Mills opened his first gym in 1968, giving his name to Les Mills International, a fitness-centric company founded by his son Phillip Mills. Mills later went on to serve as the Mayor of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, from 1990 to 1998. Public biographical listings identify Mills as a New Zealand Olympic shot put and discus thrower (1964, 1972) and politician. Mills was also associated with mayor of Auckland City (1990–1998). This public record remains centered on Mills's work as a New Zealand Olympic shot put and discus thrower (1964, 1972) and politician and mayor of Auckland City (1990–1998) and the documented milestones of that career.