Mike's Minute: Sir Michael Hill will be missed

One of the more memorable days of my life was spent at Michael Hill's house at Lake Hayes in Central Otago. 

He showed me his art. There was a lot of it and it was eclectic. 

He had his own nine-hole golf course, and it was all par 3s. This was in the days before The Hills, which in many respects was what Michael was all about – vision. 

He took his par 3s and then turned it into one of the best golf courses in the country. Watching the New Zealand Open each year is worth it just for the views of his course. 

When I was there, the charity event he ran started at Millbrook just across the way. Millbrook was new then and you wondered whether it was one of those investments that would grow to be the success it has or turn out like Formosa or Gulf Harbour. 

I had won the pro-am that day. He presented me with a ticket to Australia, a few thousand dollars, and various bits and pieces from his jewellery business, that I ironically couldn't accept, given I wasn’t a pro, and amateurs were banned from winning stuff. 

But I had beaten Sean Fitzpatrick, Andrew Mehrtens, Peter O'Malley, and Greg Turner, so what did I need prizes for? 

Michael never forgot the day and reminded me each time I talked to him that I should give golf a go again and to come and play at his place anytime I liked. 

I first interviewed him in the 80's. He was newish then. The story of the Whangarei shop, the fire, setting up his own business, it became New Zealand business folklore. 

I did one of those motivational events with him, where I hosted. He and other success stories told paying guests how they did it, what the tips were, and how to never give up. 

He was big into classical music and was a philanthropist in that area. 

His company became a household name, expanding into Australia, Canada, and the US. 

The advertising was genius. 

He revelled in the personality thing. He was a health nut, doing a lot of juicing, probably before his time in that sense. 

Like most success stories, he had a magnetism about him. He was very likeable, had good stories and was funny with it. 

He was in many respects the quintessential New Zealand success story – hard working, self-made, and deprecating. 

He was a memorable, inspiring Kiwi. He will be missed. 

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