Former Te Puke town crier and icon of the wider community Michael Jones died on October 8, aged 78.

As a tribute to Jones, his community work and his family, The Weekend Sun is reprinting excerpts of Rosalie Liddle Crawford’s story on him in June 2025.

Michael Jones may be widely recognised as Te Puke’s beloved town crier, but he laughs off the suggestion he’s a local icon.

“I’m just a Te Puke boy who over the years has been involved in a lot around town,” he said. “Many people know me as the town crier, but I’ve also held key roles in the kiwifruit industry and town promotions and been part of Te Puke Repertory for over 65 years.”

Born in Te Puke in 1948, Jones grew up surrounded by theatre. His parents were founding members of the Te Puke Repertory Society in 1952.

“Apparently I was there when it all started – it began in our home,” he said with a grin.

Over the decades, Jones, now the society’s patron, has taken on every role imaginable – from romantic leads to a lifeless corpse.

In June 2025, Jones stepped back into the director’s chair for his 11th major production, Call Girls, a comedy by New Zealand playwright James Carrick.

‘Dragged’ into theatre

Jones’ theatre journey began when he returned to Te Puke at age 20 and was “dragged into” a production by his parents’ friends. “Initially to do sound effects – and then suddenly I was on stage!”

Since then, he’s directed 10 major productions, written original pieces for short play festivals, and created a local revue titled The First and Final Te Puke Review, a sellout hit despite what he calls “a total shambles”.

“It was about Te Puke – that was the point,” he laughs. “It had all the local characters in it. People loved it.”

Beyond the stage, Jones served as a Western Bay of Plenty District councillor for the Te Puke Ward from 1998 until his retirement in 2010. “I’ve always been a strong supporter of Te Puke and was grateful for the support I received.”

Jones was also known for his three-decade run as Te Puke’s town crier, a role he began in the mid-1990s while serving as deputy of the Te Puke Promotion Society.

“We needed someone to lead the Christmas parade, and I thought, ‘Why not a town crier to tell people what’s going on – and how to behave?’ So that’s how it started.”

In 2021, Mike was recognised as Te Puke Citizen of the Year, acknowledging a lifetime of giving back to the town he loved.

He retired from the town crier role in 2024 for health reasons.

This week, many tributes have flowed from the Te Puke community for Jones.

True heartbeat

In a memoriam email to members, Te Puke Repertory Society said their patron and life member was “the true heartbeat of our theatre family, dedicating an extraordinary 65 years of service and passion to our community”.

“Whether he was directing, performing or guiding our vision as patron, dedicating countless hours behind the scenes, or cheering loudest from the front row, his love for the arts was boundless. His unwavering lifelong support shaped who we are today, and his loss leaves a profound void in our theatre and our hearts.”

The late Michael Jones photographed inside at Litt Park Theatre, Te Puke, in June 2025. Photo / David Hall

Jones’ friend Lynne Avery wrote on Facebook, “A grand pillar of our wonderful theatre has fallen”.

“His presence and input will be sorely missed. Many a wise word was shared and treasured,” Avery said.

Former Town Crier

Epic Te Puke’s tribute included a photo of Jones dressed as the town crier.

“For more than 30 years, Mike was the familiar face, booming voice and ringing bell of Te Puke’s Town Crier. For generations of families, his presence at the Te Puke Christmas Float Parade was part of the magic of Christmas, bringing smiles, laughter and excitement to children and adults alike,” a spokesperson said.

“But Mike’s contribution to Te Puke went far beyond his role as Town Crier. A true pillar of our community, Mike dedicated countless hours to making Te Puke a better place.

“From his remarkable 65-plus years of involvement with Te Puke Repertory Society to his service in local government, community organisations and town initiatives, Mike’s passion for his hometown was unwavering.”

The spokesperson said Mike had said he’d play just a small part in trying to make Te Puke a better place.

“To us, and to so many others, that part was anything but small.”