Lessons from Aotearoa Business People

Sir Michael Hill (1938 -2025) was a renowned New Zealand businessman and philanthropist. His entrepreneurial skills saw him establish and expand to an international market, his jewellery chain Michael Hill Jeweller and coined the well known advertising phrase, "Hello, Michael Hill jeweller".

In 1979 at the age of 40 Hill opened his first store in Whangarei and set himself the goal of opening "seven stores in seven years", a goal he not only met, but exceeded. In 1987, Hill expanded into the Australian market and the following year set himself and his company another goal: "70 shops in seven years". This goal was also achieved.

In 2002 the business expanded further into Canada and a few years later into the United States. In 2006, Sir Michael was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame and in 2008 he was named Ernst & Young's NZ Entrepreneur of the Year.

Over the years Sir Michael wrote and published several books sharing his business philosophy and his business journey.

Toughen up : what I've learned about surviving tough times by Michael Hill, 2009. Also available as an ebook

Think bigger : how to raise your expectations & achieve everything by Michael Hill, 2010

Catch & release : a life of art, thoughts, and nonsense by Michael Hill, 2019

Following on from Sir Michael's writings we've compiled a list of resources where the business people of Aotearoa share their stories - the dreams, the successes, the failures and lessons.

Hot off the press local entrepreneur Lynda Lovatt shares her business and personal journey in
Lady talk : a personal pursuit with practice pearls (2025)
"This book tells the intriguing backstory that led Lynda Lovatt to becoming a woman's health advocate and creating her Wellington business, the Lady Talk clinic"--cover.

In this fully updated edition of his 2016 bestseller, Trans-Tasman businessman Tony Quinn uses his famous gift of the gab to tell his life story.

Zero to 60 : from a wooden caravan to a multi-million-dollar business empire by Tony Quinn, 2024, rev. ed.
From starting his first business rendering waste from his father's petfood plant in Scotland while still in his teens, Tony Quinn went on to create a multi-million dollar business empire in Australia. While some of the companies he's owned are household names, including V.I.P Petfoods and Darrell Lea, it was his love of motor racing that thrust Quinn into the spotlight in both Australia and New Zealand. Having had his fair share of success as a driver, back in 2012, Quinn set about creating what he describes as 'a little slice of heaven in Cromwell' in the form of Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand's back country. Since then, he's added two more New Zealand tracks, Queensland Raceway and majority-ownership of Supercars team Triple Eight Race Engineering to his motor racing stable. [Adapted from catalogue]

Circumstances drove Antonia Murphy to set up an unconventional business. Finding herself on her own with two kids to support, and with no business experience Antonia decides to build her own business in Northland. With no business experience Antonia launches The Bach - an ethical escort agency, a safe place where women can earn great money and provide compassionate, shame-free pleasure for clients. At least, that's the idea. Antonia shares the journey in Madam : a memoir by Antonia Murphy, 2024. Also available as ebook and audiobook

Kaz Staples, founder of cereal brand Puredelish, shares her story of how she navigated through the madness of growing a seed of an idea on her own with no money into a well-recognised and trusted, brand. This is not a 'how to' book, but an honest account of her journey.

The cereal entrepreneur : a story of grit, courage, and crunchy goodness by Kaz Staples, 2021
The Cereal Entrepreneur is a book about courage, grit, determination and never giving up on your dream, even when others say it's not possible. This is about a woman and her dreams for her family, her love for her people and the deep love for her brand. It's about defying the odds, following your passion and always trusting your gut. And when the going gets tough, roll your sleeves up and get on with the show."--Publisher's description [Adapted from catalogue]

South Auckland businessman Dave Letele's life has taken him from crime to community, footy to failure, riches to rags (and back again), and from fat to fit. Today, he is a businessman, community leader and life coach who helps literally thousands achieve their goals as the face of Buttabean Motivation

No excuses : my story from crime to community and fat to fit by Dave Letele, 2022
The amazing true story of how Dave Letele lost over 100kg and took control of his life - and how you can, too. ..... Like Dave says, I've been at the bottom and the top, and everything in between ... If I can do it, you can. This is his story. [Adapted from catalogue]

Pic Picot of Nelson based Pic's peanut butter has had many, varied careers. His entrepreneurial skills showed up at an early age when he learned leatherwork and made sandals and handbags. Eventually her moved on to furniture making and helped establish the legendary Parnell Workshops and Storage.
He built a boat, moved to Nelson, set up an unsuccessful restaurant venture and a successful charter-boat directory and sailing school. Then he retired. But not for long.
Disgusted with commercial peanut butter Pic began making his own. Never one to do things by halves he began roasting nuts in a concrete mixer to make small batches of peanut butter for selling at the local Saturday market. Before long Pic was again employing people and become a peanut butter entrepreneur.
Pic's unusual path to business success offers inspiration for anyone wanting to follow their dreams.

Pic : adventures in sailing, business, and love by Pic Picot, 2021

Craig Heatley was still at high school when he created a subdivision on the back of $200 saved from his paper round. A few years later, building a mini-golf course launched a business that in 1986 saw him become the youngest person to have then featured in the National Business Review's Rich List.

No limits : how Craig Heatley became a top New Zealand entrepreneur by Joanne Black, 2018
"No Limits describes Craig Heatley's entrepreneurial life. It charts the good times and the bad, his philosophies, his approach to currency trading and the significance of becoming the first person from the southern hemisphere to be invited to join the world's most prestigious golf club, Augusta National, home of the Masters. ... But it is Sky Television that was his boldest and most precarious undertaking. The fledgling company teetered in the early nineties as rugby suffered its own crisis, torn between its amateur heritage and the forces of professionalism. Heatley could see the answer. Making it happen is part of his story.--Publisher's description [Adapted from catalogue]