Return to air's a breeze for Mike

Mike Baird may have lost 20kg mowing lawns but he's as hungry for radio as ever.

The 43-year-old is back on-air this week in Rotorua as the local breakfast host for a radio station new to the city, The Breeze.

It's a return to radio for Mr Baird after a year-long break during which he bought a lawn mowing and property maintenance business - work he doesn't intend giving up.

"It's great. You can take your frustrations out on a tree branch and mowing lawns is cheaper than going to the gym."

It was also a time for him to assess his future after an incident in September 2006 led to police charges and a conviction and discharge for assault with a weapon - a car - and intentional damage of a bicycle.

He resigned from his role at Classic Hits and admits the months following his court case were among the toughest he's faced.

"It was a very low time but the support I received from my friends helped me through it."

His larger-than-life personality has won him fans of all ages, having spent 12 of the past 21 years of his radio career in Rotorua.

He has worked for various stations and built up strong relationships with local schools and businesses with his promotions and charity work.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Rotorua Trust twice and serves on Te Whakapono Health Trust which helped establish the city's satellite dialysis unit.

Radioworks operations manager Paul Hickey said it was Mr Baird's commitment to Rotorua that made him the obvious choice for the job.

"He's so passionate about helping people and about what he does. I've worked with a lot of people in radio but for him, it's more than just a job."

However, both men admitted feeling nervous before revealing to the public just who would be hosting The Breeze's breakfast show.

His appointment was a closely-guarded secret until a month ago.

"We had a client function and I was MC," Mr Hickey said.

"I was really nervous about how everyone would react because it could have gone either way.

"But when we brought him out there was a standing ovation and two women cried."

Before his first morning back on air, Mr Baird said he was so nervous, his voice tightened up but it was great to be back on-air. "I've taken stations in this market to No 1 before and that's what I intend to do with The Breeze.

"Rotorua is a great community and my job is just starting."