This week, Kiwi radio and television icon Steve Parr caught up with Magic Breakfast’s Mark McCarron for ‘Where Are They Now?’.

A familiar voice and face to many New Zealanders, Steve reflected on his illustrious career, from his early days in radio to becoming a household name as the host of ‘Sale of the Century,’ and all his ventures beyond.

He tells Mark how his decades-long journey began around 1974 with a talent competition.

“I entered the 1ZM teenage DJ quest and came second,” Steve revealed.

A passion ignited, and he continued to branch out into the radio world with stints at 2ZA and then 3ZM in Christchurch, a station where he spent a good 10 years. 

"I just loved radio. I just adored it."

While his time on the radio was significant, it was his role as host of ‘Sale of the Century’ that really catapulted him into national fame - despite Steve initially having “no intention of getting into television.” 

Still, he decided to give it a shot anyway, auditioning for the host spot of the game show - a position that would change the course of his life from 1989 to 1995.

Listen to Steve Parr’s full chat with Magic Breakfast here:

“It was the most wonderful experience. We gave away over seven and a half, I think, million dollars in prizes,” Steve recalled. “I met lots of fantastic people, both as contestants and also people that I worked with. Got married, had two children. My whole world changed in those six years.”

Although it wasn’t all smooth sailing, he was met with some challenges. For one, he was half-deaf during filming, which Steve and Mark touch on deeper in their chat. 

Difficulty then came in a different form when the show was unexpectedly cancelled due to programming changes.

“That really broke me up. I will totally admit to the fact that I had an ego as big as a house at that stage."

In an attempt to move forward, he briefly produced and hosted his own property show, then returned to radio, taking over from Peter Sinclair on ‘Love Songs to Midnight’.

However, he eventually stepped away and said, “My heart just wasn’t in it anymore.”

Now, Steve lives in Brisbane, where he’s spent the last 25 years, enjoying the sunshine in Redlands. 

Since the move, he has managed to keep himself busy with real estate and working in renewable energy and solar-powered batteries. 

And what is he up to now? Well, Mark just happened to catch him on the first official day of his retirement, where he blissfully admits he is doing “absolutely nothing”. 

Although he shares that he plans to spend more time doing all the other things he enjoys doing (such as a good game of golf). 

Looking back to his TV days, Mark reminded him of his good ol’ “Steve Parr Slide” - asking how his knees are after all that sliding.

“One knee reconstruction,” Stever replied, though he believes aging is to blame, not his old on-screen antics. 

Cheers for the chat, Steve. May you enjoy your retirement!

Tune in to Magic Breakfast Tuesdays at 8 am, or listen on demand HERE, to catch up with more NZ stars of the past and see where they are now.