Of course, walking away with NZ$40,000 is an incentive, but the First Prize of the Michael Hill is so much more than a cash award.
Fulfilling our promise of lifting your musicianship and helping to launch your career, if you win, we provide you with a suite of tools to help you achieve this including a recording on the Atoll Label, a New Zealand-inspired pendant from Christine Hill’s Spirit Bay Collection from Michael Hill International, and the incomparable Winner’s Tour.
Every Michael Hill winner has said that their Winner’s Tour was the most significant part of their prize package because it provided an opportunity unlike any other to develop and test their artistry in a thrilling pressure-cooker experience – a multi-week performance tour of New Zealand and Australia with recitals, a concerto and a recording.
With bespoke professional development proffered and opportunities to test your emergent skills in safe settings, you will leave Aotearoa New Zealand a stronger, more insightful, and road-tested artist.
Past winners have developed skills and confidence in public speaking, branding, stage presence, media training, maintaining and managing influential stakeholders, stress management, etc.

1st Prize:
NZ $40,000 cash
+ Recording on the Atoll Label
+ Winner’s Tour in 2027
presented in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
+ Personalised Professional Development Programme
+ Michael Hill gold and diamond pendant from Christine Hill’s Spirit Bay Collection, based on iconic New Zealand shell the Totorere.
First Prize Donor: Michael Hill International
2nd Prize
NZ$10,000 cash
3rd Prize
NZ$5,000 cash
4th Place
NZ $4,000 cash
5th Place
NZ$3,000 cash
6th Place
NZ$2,000 cash
Best Performance of NZ Commissioned Work
NZ$1,000 cash
Chamber Music Prize
NZ$1,000 cash
Sheila Smith Prize
Three-year loan of a Domenico Montagnana violin, facilitated by Rare Violins of New York
Travel
All qualifying quarter-finalists receive travel to Queenstown and Auckland New Zealand.