ABOUT ME

Gary “Puku” Petley is a proud local, born and bred in Putāruru, and has spent nearly his entire life living and working across the South Waikato district. Of Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Mutunga descent, Gary brings deep roots, strong values, and a lifetime of lived experience to his leadership.

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Apart from a few years away at Hato Pāora College and a short stint in Auckland, Gary has called Putāruru home for all of his 67 years. Over the decades, he’s worked in the bush, at the Kinleith Pulp and Paper Mill, ran a small business in Tīrau with his wife, and drove milk tankers for Fonterra, all while staying active in the life of the district.

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For the past three years, Gary has served as Mayor of the South Waikato District Council. It’s a role he hasn’t taken lightly. He’s led through challenges, made the tough calls when they counted, and stayed grounded in the values of the people he represents. Under pressure, Gary doesn’t back down, he steps up, leads from the front, and focuses on getting things done.

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His connection to the community runs deep. He’s served on school boards in both Tīrau and Putāruru and has long been involved in local rugby and golf clubs. That hands-on community involvement, from the sports fields to small business and local governance, gives Gary a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities across Tokoroa, Putāruru, Tīrau, and Arapuni.

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“I’ve had a foot in pretty much every corner of the community, and I think that matters. People know who I am. I’m not here to stand back and criticise. If change is needed, I want to be part of it. And if that creates a positive flow-on effect for the people I represent, that’s a win.”

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Gary isn’t just a local, his entire whānau is too. His family has deep roots in South Waikato, and he’s proud to call the same streets, schools, and sports clubs home. A big family man at heart, Gary’s values are shaped by whānau, community, and looking out for the next generation. Whether it’s supporting his mokopuna on the sidelines or catching up with cousins for a cuppa, Gary knows that strong communities start with strong connections, and that’s what he’s always stood for.

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Grounded, straight-up, and always willing to do the hard mahi, Gary brings the kind of leadership South Waikato can count on.