


			Exit This Story

QUEENSTOWN FEATURES ON NEW ZEALAND HONOURS LIST

Print Page

December, 2010

Queenstown-based jewellery magnate, entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Hill is now Sir Michael after receiving a knighthood in the New Year Honours.

Originally from Whangarei, Mr Hill lives near Arrowtown with wife Christine and said the honour for services to business and the arts was completely unexpected.

Speaking to the Southland Times, he said 2010 was an exciting year and included a whirlwind tour of the United States with reality television starlet Kim Kardashian, business developments and involvement in the arts. So what's his secret?

"Perseverance and having a long-term goal. If one does have a 30-year goal, if one does do that then everything sort of changes.

"Most people have short-term goals and they look forward to retirement but it's a little bit too safe."

Hill's life changed overnight in 1977 when the family home burned down, prompting him to re-evaluate and set goals.
He opened his first jewellery store in 1979 and pushed the business nationally and internationally there are now 240 stores from New Zealand and Australia to the US and Canada.

He said he played it safe until he was 40 but once the commitment was made to change direction "strangely it takes less effort".

It was the little things in life that made the difference, he said.

"There are more worries not doing anything because you never hit the straps or hit full potential."

A knighthood was not on the radar but it meant the responsibility of acting as a role model, he said. "I am truly humbled and honoured and almost speechless for the first time in years."

He aims to have 1000 stores by 2022, but in 2011 he plans to push for the New Zealand Open golf tournament to return to the Southern Lakes.
2010 was the final tournament at The Hills after a three-year contract between Mr Hill and New Zealand Golf.
The tournament attracted 24,246 spectators. "We hope to get the New Zealand Open," he said.
After New Year with family and neighbours in Arrowtown, Hill is heading to the North Island before spending time on his luxury 112-foot super-yacht VvS1.
He is a trustee of the Queenstown Lakes District Council Cultural Trust, a supporter of Cure Kids and, in 2002, was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the arts.
Meanwhile, former Queenstown mayor Clive Geddes was chuffed and humbled to receive the Queen's Service Order.
Mr Geddes served three terms as mayor and said the order awarded for services to local body affairs was a recognition of the work by councillors, staff and the community.
"Over the nine years I was mayor, collectively, we did a whole range of innovative and exciting things.
"Queenstown has changed the way it thinks of itself and now understands its importance to New Zealand tourism.
"Three councils changed the way the community and the council interacted, the council started to work for the community's benefit, which was not previously the case."
Ten years ago the biggest challenge was figuring out how Queenstown adapted to forecast growth. The council asked residents what they wanted in their lives, he said.
The award recognised that collective effort and, while there were disappointments along the way, there was no point in looking back, he said.
"Being in local government is a choice. I enjoyed every minute of being mayor, it's humbling."
Since leaving office, he and wife Sally have been relaxing and travelling, including a trip to Stewart Island.
Mr Geddes, a keen motorcyclist, fisherman and glider pilot, plans to return to investment consulting in the new year.
The citation says he led the district through a period of massive expansion and infrastructure growth, helping to introduce an expanded public transport network, recycling depots, better recreational parks and reserves and urban redesign.
He was also a founder member of Destination Queenstown and chaired the region's economic development agency Otago Forward for five years.

Source: The Southland Times