Sir Michael Hill.
Photo: supplied
Sir Michael Hill has died.
The founder of the well-known chain of jewellery stores was 86.
Sir Michael died on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the business he founded to the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges.
Born in Whangarei, Sir Michael worked as a young man for his uncle, Arthur Fisher, at the family jewellery store.
In 1979 he opened his own store nearby, and over the next 45 years the chain expanded to nearly 300 (281 in April 2023) stores in Australia and Canada as well as New Zealand.
The company, now based in Brisbane, is currently chaired by Rob Fyfe.
Sir Michael’s daughter, Emma, is a non-independent, non-executive director, after being executive chair between 2015 to 2021.
In 2001 Sir Michael’s lifelong love of violin music led him to found the biennial Michael Hill International Violin Competition for ’emerging young violinists’.
He was knighted in 2011.
A private memorial to celebrate the life of Sir Michael will be held in Arrowtown.
‘Inspired generations of Kiwi entrepreneurs’
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon took to social media to say that Michael Hill has inspired generations of Kiwi entrepreneurs.
“Sir Michael Hill’s aspiration, grit, and determination to succeed not only built a globally recognised brand, but also inspired generations of Kiwi entrepreneurs to dream big,” he said in a post on X.
He built a brand from scratch and gave back to the country that he loved, Luxon said.
“May he rest in peace.”
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