'Celebrated jeweller' Sir Michael Hill dies aged 86
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Sir Michael Hill, the founder of jewellery brand Michael Hill, has died aged 86.
The company announced "with great sadness" the passing of their founder in a statement released on Tuesday.
"The Board, Executive and all the Michael Hill team express their deepest and sincerest condolences to Michael's family and friends."
The company has remembered Sir Michael as a "celebrated jeweller, entrepreneur, philanthropist and committed father and husband".
In April, the brand announced Sir Michael would be taking a leave of absence to undergo cancer treatment, with Andrea Slingsby being appointed director.
Sir Michael created the jewellery brand in 1979 in Whangarei, New Zealand with his wife, Lady Christine.
Michael Hill then expanded to Australia in 1980, with the business now operating more than 200 stores across the country in addition to stores in New Zealand and Canada.
He dreamed of becoming a concert violinist but was told that, as a 17-year-old, it was too late for him to reach the pinnacle of his craft.
Instead, he found himself working at his uncle's family-owned jewellery store in New Zealand.
The Michael Hill company has remembered its founder as a talented businessman.
"Sir Michael had a natural gift for storytelling, a keen eye for visual merchandising, an instinct for attracting customers and a gift for selling," the company said.
"He won international awards for his window displays and revolutionised the store's advertising with bold, unconventional campaigns".
Michael Hill chairman Rob Fyfe said Sir Michael "brought a deep sense of purpose" to every endeavour.
"An enduring curiosity, open-mindedness and creativity that challenged all of us to embrace evermore lofty goals and be unconstrained in our thinking — a legacy that will continue to inspire us."
The jewellery chain underwent a rebrand in 2024, unveiling a new logo and colour palette that was inspired by Sir Michael's upbringing.
"The soft palette of all the colours from the beaches we would go to in New Zealand, the trees, the moss, the grass, have all been married in," Sir Michael wrote on the brand's site.
Sir Michael "not only built a globally recognised brand, but also inspired generations of Kiwi entrepreneurs to dream big", Mr Luxon said in a social media post.
"He built a brand from scratch and gave back to the country that he loved. May he rest in peace."
Written by Jessica Riga and Kymberlee Gomes, ABC News.
The company announced "with great sadness" the passing of their founder in a statement released on Tuesday.
"The Board, Executive and all the Michael Hill team express their deepest and sincerest condolences to Michael's family and friends."
The company has remembered Sir Michael as a "celebrated jeweller, entrepreneur, philanthropist and committed father and husband".
Sir Michael Hill founded the brand with his wife, Lady Christine. (Supplied)
In April, the brand announced Sir Michael would be taking a leave of absence to undergo cancer treatment, with Andrea Slingsby being appointed director.
Sir Michael created the jewellery brand in 1979 in Whangarei, New Zealand with his wife, Lady Christine.
Michael Hill then expanded to Australia in 1980, with the business now operating more than 200 stores across the country in addition to stores in New Zealand and Canada.
Sir Michael Hill with the brand's chair, Emma Hill, in 2016. (AAP: Markson Sparks)
'Natural gift for storytelling'
Jewellery was not Sir Michael's first love — instead, it was music.He dreamed of becoming a concert violinist but was told that, as a 17-year-old, it was too late for him to reach the pinnacle of his craft.
Instead, he found himself working at his uncle's family-owned jewellery store in New Zealand.
The first Michael Hill store was opened in Whangarei, New Zealand, in 1979. (Supplied)
The Michael Hill company has remembered its founder as a talented businessman.
"Sir Michael had a natural gift for storytelling, a keen eye for visual merchandising, an instinct for attracting customers and a gift for selling," the company said.
"He won international awards for his window displays and revolutionised the store's advertising with bold, unconventional campaigns".
Michael Hill chairman Rob Fyfe said Sir Michael "brought a deep sense of purpose" to every endeavour.
"An enduring curiosity, open-mindedness and creativity that challenged all of us to embrace evermore lofty goals and be unconstrained in our thinking — a legacy that will continue to inspire us."
The company underwent a rebrand last year, with a new colour palette inspired by Sir Michael's upbringing in New Zealand. (Supplied)
The jewellery chain underwent a rebrand in 2024, unveiling a new logo and colour palette that was inspired by Sir Michael's upbringing.
"The soft palette of all the colours from the beaches we would go to in New Zealand, the trees, the moss, the grass, have all been married in," Sir Michael wrote on the brand's site.
New Zealand PM pays tribute
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to Sir Michael, highlighting his "aspiration, grit, and determination to succeed".Sir Michael "not only built a globally recognised brand, but also inspired generations of Kiwi entrepreneurs to dream big", Mr Luxon said in a social media post.
"He built a brand from scratch and gave back to the country that he loved. May he rest in peace."
Written by Jessica Riga and Kymberlee Gomes, ABC News.
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Mr Hill and thoughts are with his family
Condolences to his loved ones 
RIP
