[6] On 29 June 2022 he announced he will run in the race for Christchurch's mayoralty in the October local elections.

[8][better source needed] After graduating from University of Canterbury, Meates started as a Consultant at the Ministry of Agriculture.

During his time in the role he met his now wife Julie[1] and they travelled in Africa, India and Asia, before settling in the United Kingdom.

[2] He left his job at BHS to return home to New Zealand[1] to take up the position of General Manager of Greymouth Hospital.

In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours, Meates was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to health.