Hill knighted in Honours list

His jewellery empire began in Whangarei, he took on the world, he has created hundreds of jobs, and he has shared the joy through extraordinary arts sponsorship, supporting Cure Kids and bringing the New Zealand Golf Open to his private course in Queenstown - we give you, Sir Michael Hill.
Whangarei's most successful businessman, the man who reinvented himself at 40 to become an international jewellery retailer and arts patron, becomes a knight in the New Year Honours list announced today.
Sir Michael Hill, already Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2002), has been honoured for services to business and the arts.
The small shop he and his wife Christine opened in Whangarei in 1979 has expanded to an empire of 250 stores in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States; the Michael Hill International Violin Competition is now in its 10th year and attracts leading young musicians from around the world.
The man who wanted to be a violinist but instead went into his uncle's jewellery store in Whangarei remains committed to growing the competition to international prominence.
Sir Michael is also a trustee of the Queenstown Lakes District Cultural Trust and was instrumental in raising the profile of the New Zealand Golf Open by bringing the event to his private golf course, The Hills.
A man who manages to combine humility with infectious enthusiasm, he has made it his mission to urge people to set goals, push themselves and not to be afraid to dare to be the best they can be.
"There was no future for me where I was, behind the counter in my uncle's shop," he said yesterday.
"I was dormant for 40 years. It took a house fire to make me get out and start my own shop. We've all got potential but we get stuck in our comfort zones. You know how a frog will just sit in water as it is heated even when it is nearly boiling ... well that was me," he said yesterday.
He has made dozens of motivational speeches over the past few years and written three books on his holistic formula for personal and business success. These include information on his belief in the extreme importance of work/life balance, healthy diet and a daily exercise regime.
Sales of his latest book Think Bigger have exceeded all expectations and the book was in reprint 10 days after publication.
All profits go to Cure Kids, which funds medical research into diseases affecting children (he is a major donor).
His face became recognisable everywhere some years ago when he fronted the company's advertising campaigns, doing a send-up of his own persona. He exaggerated his voice into a Nasal, gravelly monotone.
The ads irritated thousands on both sides of the Tasman (as intended), but generated huge brand awareness. He says he is extremely proud to be a New Zealander and a Northlander.
"We live in paradise and it can be hard to detach yourself from paradise to do what you have to do ... but you can always visit," he said yesterday.
In fact he and Lady Christine will be staying with old friends at Lang's Beach over New Year and then boarding their motor-yacht VVS1 - currently on charter - in the Bay of Islands. And the new knight says he can't wait to motor down to Whangarei to collect pipi from the bank near the entrance to Whangarei Harbour.