Jim Moriarty

Jim Moriarty (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a powerhouse of Aotearoa theatre whose long and meaningful association with The Hannah Playhouse reflects both his artistic brilliance and his deep commitment to storytelling as social transformation.

Moriarty’s early work with Downstage in the 1970s and 80s showcased a performer of rare emotional range and intensity: an actor capable of shifting from profound stillness to explosive energy in a heartbeat. His performances became part of the fabric of The Hannah’s history, marking him as one of the defining presences of the venue’s most formative decades. In 1991, Moriarty starred in the premiere season of one-man tour-de-force play Michael James Manaia by John Broughton - going on to tour internationally and become a landmark New Zealand theatre work.

Beyond his onstage mahi, Moriarty became a pioneering director and arts leader. He founded Te Rākau Hua o Te Wao Tapu Trust, New Zealand’s longest-running kaupapa Māori theatre company, dedicated to working with rangatahi, prisons, at-risk communities, and whānau through theatre that restores dignity, voice, and connection.

This vision — that theatre is not just entertainment, but a mechanism for collective healing and empowerment — resonates strongly with The Hannah’s legacy as a home for groundbreaking, socially engaged performance.

Jim Moriarty’s contribution to The Hannah is part of a wider national story: a legacy of courage, cultural leadership, and unwavering belief in the transformational power of the arts. The original poster for Michael James Manaia hangs on the wall in the Halfway Up Bar.