Phil Hill – A Lifetime in Budgerigars
From the scenic heart of Hawke’s Bay to the budgerigar benches of New Zealand’s most prestigious shows, Phil Hill has carved out a reputation as a passionate breeder, humble judge, and proud ambassador for the hobby. His journey is marked not just by birds and ribbons, but by resilience, mentorship, and a commitment to giving back. Born in 1970 in Hastings, New Zealand, Phil grew up immersed in sport—representing his high school in First XV rugby and First XI cricket. After school, life took him into dairy farming in the Waikato region before returning to his roots in Hawke’s Bay, where he began a family and eventually discovered his lifelong passion: budgerigars. “A friend had a small aviary with budgies, cockatiels, zebra finches and quails. I really liked it and asked my mum for one. I was 14 at the time,” Phil recalls. That simple start—one bird, one show—was all it took. Phil entered a bird in the Hawke’s Bay Club’s one-day show and walked away with the Best Junior award. “I’ve been hooked on budgies ever since,” he says.
✨ A Lifelong Commitment to the Fancy
Phil first joined the Hastings Bird Club in 1984 and became a member of the Budgerigar Society of New Zealand (BSNZ) a year later. While life took him away from the hobby for periods—especially while raising five children and navigating work relocations—he never left it behind entirely. “The birds were still there when I returned home in 1991. My mum had fed them. I rejoined the club and Society. That support kept the spark alive.” Though career and personal changes, including a move to Taranaki and time away from birdkeeping, saw Phil take another break, he returned in 2004 and has remained deeply involved ever since.
🏠 Modest Setup, Maximum Passion
These days, Phil resides in Hamilton with his partner Carla. While his aviary setup is humble—limited by rental restrictions and space—his passion is anything but. “I currently have 10 breeding cages and around 50 birds,” Phil shares. “My breeding season starts mid-to-late August and ideally wraps up by New Year, but as I don’t use artificial lighting or heating, the elements often have the final say.” His setup is housed in a repurposed sleepout, with one room acting as the breeding space and the other as a main flight. While it’s far from a showpiece facility, it proves that dedication and results don’t rely on size or budget alone.
🎨 Breeding Philosophy & Favourite Varieties
Phil doesn’t chase specific colours or trends. His goal is clear: breed to the standard. “I try to pair up to most closely breed towards the standard. I’ve had success with Grey Greens and Spangles, but I’ve never paired birds purely for colour.” That said, he admits a soft spot for a quality Spangle Grey. “The two top Spangles at this year’s ANBC Championship Show were absolutely beautiful,” he reflects. “I think they can really look good when done right.”
🏆 Career Highlights & Judging Recognition
When asked about his favourite moment in the hobby, Phil hesitates—there have been many. “Winning Best in Show for the first time in 2007 was special. I was still a Novice, and that bird later went on to win Best Novice at the Patronage Show and National the next year.” His judging career is another point of pride. In 2022, Phil was asked to step in as a Novice judge at the NZ National—an honour in its own right. That was followed by an invitation to judge Champion birds at the most recent NZ National. “It’s something all NZ judges aspire to—judging at the National. It’s a privilege.”
✈️ Eyes on the World
Despite his domestic success, Phil hasn’t always been a follower of the international scene. But in recent years, his interest has grown, and he knows where he’d love to go: “It would be great to visit Harry Hockaday’s birdroom. He has such a wealth of knowledge and incredible birds. Even since returning to the hobby, his standard is amazing. It would be a real eye-opener to see it in person.”
🔁 Building Back from Scratch
Like many breeders, Phil’s stud has faced setbacks. A severe bout of megabacteria in 2019/20 decimated his flock and forced a fresh start. “I lost most of my original lines. So when I say ‘stud’, I use that word very loosely!” Currently, his foundation includes Grinter and Dutchburn birds (lines 183 and 030), with recent introductions from Flockhart and Anderton, which also trace back to Grinter genetics.
👥 Respect & Relationships
Phil holds deep respect for several fellow breeders in New Zealand, but two names stand out:
“Robyn and Tony Grinter have done incredible things with their birds. They’re consistent winners and always open with their time and knowledge. Paul Anderton from Dunedin is another. His birds are consistently strong, and he’s very welcoming despite the long hours he works.”
🐦 His Best Bird
While Phil has bred better birds since, one Normal Grey Green cock from 2005 holds a special place in his heart. “He won five Best Novice titles and two Best in Show. He took out Best Novice at the 2008 Patronage Show and National. Sadly, he didn’t do well in the breeding cage—only two chicks—but the memories are strong.”
🛠️ Challenges & Aspirations
The biggest challenge Phil sees in the hobby is declining membership, especially among younger generations. “Young people don’t want to wait 20 days for eggs to hatch and another five weeks for them to fledge. Everything today is instant.” While he admits he doesn’t have a magic solution, he believes starting kids young and making them feel involved is key. And what does Phil hope to achieve going forward? “Honestly, I feel I’ve achieved more than I deserve. I became a Champion in just four seasons, got my BS judging qualification, and now I’m on the judges panel and helping improve standards.”
He’s particularly proud of his role as President of the BSNZ, now serving a third term. Initiatives like reintroducing judging seminars and implementing cross-contamination-free drinkers on the show bench have been highlights of his leadership. His next goal? “To judge overseas—and I’m very fortunate to be doing that later this year.”
💊 Aviary Management & Advice
Phil keeps things practical in the birdroom. His two staple treatments?
“Ivomec sheep drench, given orally at 0.1 ml for worms and mites, and electrolytes—human ones from the supermarket. They help sick birds recover quickly and soften the food in dry-feeding hens.”
For beginners, Phil’s advice is simple and wise: “Find a good mentor. Someone who lets you ask the ‘silly’ questions and get hands-on experience. Let them try ringing a chick, pairing up a bird—make them feel involved.” And for fellow breeders? “Don’t sweat the small stuff. Share your knowledge. If I was the best breeder in NZ, I’d share all my tricks so others could compete better. The more open we are, the more people want to be involved.”
❤️ A Life Well-Lived in Budgerigars
Outside of budgies, Phil’s passions remain close to home: the Hawke’s Bay Magpies, the Hurricanes, and of course, the All Blacks. But his heart lies in the aviary, among the soft rustle of feathers and the thrill of a well-bred Spangle. From Novice fancier to National Judge, from a bird fed by his mother during a work stint to a Champion breeder with a voice in national policy—Phil Hill’s story is one of quiet impact. “Thank you to Neale for inviting me to take part in this interview. I’m very honoured.” And the honour, we suspect, is shared by everyone lucky enough to have met him.
