He also wrote Performance—A Guide to the Performing Arts in New Zealand for the Department of Internal Affairs (1979) and the satiric secret diary of Jacques Chirac, Honey, I blew up the Atoll (with Scott Wilson, 1995).

In his eventual letter of resignation he said he was unwilling to "waste time and energy fighting the tide of reaction, as he had been unable to bring about a single concession towards an alternative or more appropriate way for the future.

He went on to present a successful documentary series called Heartland where Gary documented the lives of the locals in small towns across New Zealand.

[5] Notable stories included the lovable girl from Wainuiomata, called Chloe Reeves, who became a national sensation overnight, with her tiger slippers and interesting lifestyle.

In 1990, McCormick hosted the New Zealand Labour Party's election broadcast, interviewing Prime Minister Mike Moore and his wife Yvonne.