Gary McCormick

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Gary McCormick is a notable New Zealand poet, radio and television personality, debater and raconteur.

McCormick began writing poetry in 1968. His published volumes are Gypsies (with Jon Benson, 1974), Naked and Nameless (1976), Poems for the Red Engine (1978), Poems by Request (1979), Scarlet Letters (1980), Zephyr (1982) and Lost at Sea (1995). He also wrote Performance—A Guide to the Performing Arts in New Zealand for the Department of Internal Affairs (1979) and the satiric secret diary of Jacques Chirac, Honey, I blew up the Atoll (with Scott Wilson, 1995). He is also a long-time collaborator and friend of Sam Hunt.

Invited to front a television documentary Raglan by the Sea, his offbeat, amusing style won his first television outing the Documentary of the Year award. He went on to present a successful documentary series called Heartland where Gary documented the lives of the locals in small towns across New Zealand. Notable stories included the lovable girl from Wainuiomata, called Chloe Reeves, who became a national sensation overnight, with her tiger slippers and interesting lifestyle. McCormick also featured in advertisements for hardware retailer Mitre 10 during the late 1980s and early 90s.

In 1997 he was named New Zealand Entertainer of the Year.