Mike Pero founded his mortgage broking business in 1991, and in 2011 established a real estate company under the same brand name. In 1999 and 2003, he won the New Zealand Pacific Business Award and was a founding member of the NZ Mortgage Brokers Association.

Mike was six times National Motorcycle Road Racing Champion, from 1977 to 1982, twice 350cc & 500cc racing class as well as two times in the 410cc Production Series. He set the New Zealand land speed record for a 350cc motorcycle in 1979 and the record of 238 km/h still stands today.

In July last year, Mike announced plans for a new airline, Jet Raro, connecting Christchurch and Rarotonga. He is the CEO of The Apprentice Aotearoa, a New Zealand reality television series currently airing on TVNZ 1.

Mike and his wife Rachel live in Christchurch with their four children.