By PETER CALDER
The country's best-known jeweller is tuning up to be Michael Hill, patron of the arts.
The multmillionaire founder of more than 100 cut-price jewellery stores has announced that he will sponsor an international violin competition bearing his name.
The Michael Hill World Violin Competition, to be held biennially in Queenstown and Auckland, begins next year and is likely to attract more than 200 entrants from around the world.
A distinguished jury, led by French violinist Pierre Amoyal, will preside.
Mr Hill is putting up more than $40,000 in prize money as well as paying all the running costs.
Finalists will also be presented with gold pendants designed by ... Michael Hill Jeweller.
Mr Hill is a keen amateur violinist who, as a teenager, nursed dreams of being a concert violinist.
"I suppose subconsciously it's something I always wanted to do and couldn't," he said.
"This is, perhaps, a different approach to it."
Calder at large: Michael Hill, fiddler
Jeweller puts name to music
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