Lady Christine Hill is a New Zealand artist, designer, and creative whose lifelong passion for art has shaped both her own practice and one of New Zealand’s most recognisable retail brands. Born and raised in Huddersfield, England, she trained at art school before qualifying as an art teacher. At the age of 24, she immigrated to New Zealand in 1964, settling in Whangārei, where a chance meeting with Michael Hill would set the course for an extraordinary life and creative partnership.

For nearly six decades, Christine has played an integral role in the Michael Hill story, contributing her artistic vision through jewellery design, advertising illustrations, visual merchandising, and even the creation of the company’s original logo. Her eye for design helped shape the early identity of the brand, while her creativity continues to be reflected in jewellery pieces that remain part of the collection today.

Alongside her work in design, Christine has maintained a dedicated painting practice. Drawing inspiration from the New Zealand landscape, natural textures, and found objects, her work often explores colour, form, and surface in unexpected ways. Whether painting, drawing, or designing, her work is characterised by curiosity, observation, and a deep appreciation for beauty in everyday subjects.

Still actively creating, Christine continues to develop new bodies of work and remains driven by the same artistic spirit that first led her to art school as a teenager. Her journey from a humble upbringing in northern England to becoming one of New Zealand’s most respected creative figures is a story of imagination, opportunity, and a lifelong commitment to the arts.