Entrepreneur and Jeweller Sir Michael Hill has died at the age of 86, according to an NZX update this morning.
The Michael Hill Jeweller founder passed away today in his hometown of Arrowtown.
Michael Hill International Limited Chairperson Rob Fyfe said: “To every endeavour he pursued, Michael brought a deep sense of purpose, an enduring curiosity, open-mindedness and creativity that challenged all of us to embrace ever more lofty goals and be unconstrained in our thinking.”
Fyfe said Hill leaves “a legacy that will continue to inspire us.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed his thoughts on the devastating passing in a post to X, stating: "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."
Luxon acknowledges how Hill "built a brand from scratch and gave back to the country he loved."
May he rest in peace.
Hill stepped back from the business in April to undergo cancer treatment, but there are few details about his diagnosis.
The retail legend opened his first store in Whangārei in 1979, after two decades of work at his uncle's jewellery store. It has now expanded into 291 stores across New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
