A trailblazer of the health and fitness industry and a celebrated four-time Olympian, has passed away at the age of 91.
Les Mills, alongside his wife Colleen, opened his first gym in 1968 on Victoria Street in the heart of Auckland. This came after Mills had already made a name for himself by representing New Zealand in shot put and discus events.
What started as a modest gym evolved into an international sensation, renowned for its expertly choreographed group fitness classes set to spirited music tracks.
The global rise of this fitness empire was in no small part due to the contributions of his son Phillip and his partner Jackie, who were pivotal in creating the music-driven group fitness concept.
Even today, the innovative workouts pioneered by the former Auckland mayor are embraced by fitness clubs worldwide.
Aside from his success off the field, he also competed at four Olympic Games; Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972.
However, his best results were at the Commonwealth Games, where he won five medals include discus gold at the 1966 Kingston Games in Jamaica.
He also has three silvers to his name, two in the discus at the 1958 Cardiff and 1970 Edinburgh Games, and one in the shot put at the Kingston Games.
Les Mills launched his first gym on Victoria Street in central Auckland with his wife Colleen in 1968, after representing New Zealand in both the shot put and discus
The four-time Olympian who opened a gym chain that revolutionised the fitness industry was 91
He also claimed shot put bronze in Edinburgh.
He remained in the sport after retiring, coaching his compatriot Beatrice Faumuina to a world title in 1997 and Commonwealth Games gold in 1998.
Phillip, who joined the business full-time in 1980, paid tribute to him.
'Dad was immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less advantaged,' he said.
'He left a lasting impression on everyone he met, and his spirit lives on in gym workouts around the world, continuing to help people fall in love with fitness.
Juliet Yates, who was on Auckland Council during Mills's first of eight years as mayor, told Radio New Zealand 'he was a very, very pleasant person to work with'.
'At the time, I think the achievements of the council he was mayor of were benefiting the whole of the city,' she said.
Mr Mills was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1973 for his contribution to sport, and was later appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 for services to both local government and sport.