Profile Text
Birth Name: James M. Moriarty
Place of Birth: Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand
Date of Birth: 20 June, 1953
Ethnicity: * father – Norwegian, one quarter Scottish, one quarter Danish * mother – Māori and one eighth English
Jim Moriarty is a New Zealand actor, theatre director, and psychiatric nurse.
Jim is the son of psychiatric nurses Hariata Elkington and Thomas Moriarty. He is the uncle of fellow New Zealand actor Cohen Holloway. Jim is affiliated with Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Rangitāne. He is married to Helen Pearse-Otene, and has eight children. Jim is of Catholic denomination.
Jim’s paternal grandfather was Martin Edward Hermansen (the son of Herman Hermansen Ytre Hoyvik and Maren Lisebeth Jonsdatter). Martin was born in Meling, Rogaland, Norway. Herman was the son of Herman Bjørnson Høyvik and Kari Osmundsdotter. Maren was the daughter of Jon Larsen Myklebust and Maren Gabrielsdatter.
Jim’s paternal grandmother was Marion Laird (the daughter of Frederick Laird and Palmina/Paulmina/Paulmena Carolina Poulson/Poulsen). Marion’s father was Scottish and her mother was from Viborg, Denmark.
Jim’s maternal grandfather was James Rongotoa Elkington (the son of John Arthur Ratapu Elkington and Wetekia Ruruku). James was born in French Pass, Marlborough, Marlborough, New Zealand. John was the son of Arthur Neal Elkington, from Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, and of Marara Horomona, of Ngāti Toa. Wetekia was the daughter of Roma Hoera Te Ruruku and Maria Tuo Hukaroa of Ngāti Koata.
Jim’s maternal grandmother was Mere Huitau Meha (the daughter of Arapata Meha and Mere Te Hauerangi). Huitau was born in Tahoraiti, Hawkes Bay, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Arapata was the son of Hori Ropiha and Arapera Waipari, of Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne. Jim’s great-grandmother Mere was the daughter of Hami Te Hauerangi and Hariata Toritori Tohuhawaiki Te Kakari, of Ngāti Kahungunu.
Sources: Biography of Jim Moriarty – https://www.theatreview.org.nz
Genealogy of Jim’s paternal grandfather, Martin Edward Hermansen – https://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Jim’s mother – https://ancestors.familysearch.org