Jim Moriarty
Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kahungungu, Rangitane, Scots, Italian
kaitohu, kaihuawaere
Jim Moriarty MNZM (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kahungungu, Rangitane, Scots, Italian) is co-founder and rangatira on the paepae auaha of Te Rākau Hua O Te Wao Tapu Trust. He and the company have been creating Theatre as a tool for change since 1989.
A veteran television, film and radio actor with nearly 50 years of professional experience, Jim was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for Services to the Arts.
In 2025 Jim recieved the Ngā Tohu Hautūtanga Auaha Toi – Making a Difference Award from Toi Aotearoa Creative New Zealand. He has also been recognised by the Wellington City Council for his contribution to Wellington Theatre and his work with youth in the community.
His stage and screen roles have been many and varied, and include Close to Home (1975-83), Death of The Land (1978), Michael James Manaia (1994), Saving Grace (1997), The Strength of Water (2009), and Mahana (2016). In 2019 he led the screening of the epic four-part theatre project UNDERTOW on Māori Television.
Jim’s leadership of Te Rākau and commitment to theatre as a tool for change, combined with his experience as a registered psychiatric nurse, has helped change the lives of many of this country’s most vulnerable people.
His skills as a performer and a director, and his dedication and aroha for those he works with, has led him to develop and train many generations of theatre practitioners and aspiring artists.
