2 days ago
Jewellery entrepreneur Sir Michael Hill dies
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.
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.
More to come...
