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Jim Hickey (broadcaster)

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Jim Hickey
Born (1949-08-01) 1 August 1949 (age 75)
Taranaki, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealander
Occupation(s)Weather presenter, restaurateur
EmployerTVNZ
OrganisationFamily First New Zealand (board member)
Known forBroadcasting
SpouseSue Hickey
Children4

Jim Hickey (born 1 August 1949) is a former weather presenter for TVNZ in New Zealand. He was the senior weathercaster for TVNZ for 22 years.

Biography

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Hickey grew up on a farm in Ōpunake, and initially trained as a secondary school teacher before going on to study a Bachelor of Arts in geography with specialisation in climatology.[1] Hickey later completed a Diploma of Meteorology.[1]

In 2006, Hickey was announced as a board member of Family First New Zealand, a conservative Christian lobby group, a position he still holds.[2][3]

Hickey has an affinity for aviation; during his time as a weatherman, Hickey would pilot himself from his home in New Plymouth to his work in Auckland in a Cessna.[4] In 2019 Stuff published that Hickey was living in an unused airport hangar at the New Plymouth airport that he had remodelled.[5] James Brian Hickey, his father, was a Spitfire pilot in Burma during World War Two.[6]

Hickey has four children, including Sally Jo Hickey, a former influencer.[2][7]

Career

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Hickey's career in the arts began in the early 1980s with minor theatre and television roles, including roles on Mortimer's Patch and Children of the Dog Star.[1]

In 1988 Hickey began presenting the weather for TVNZ as the senior weathercaster, a position he held until 2003. In 2007 he resumed his role as senior weathercaster, leading to Brendan Horan's redundancy.[8][9] One notable cross occurred following a snow dump which blocked the Homer Tunnel, and following the cancellation of flights, flew himself and Tāmati Coffey (who was a reporter for Breakfast at the time) from Milford Sound to Queenstown.[10] He retired for the second and final time in late 2014.[11]

Following his time as the senior weathercaster, Hickey has gained somewhat of a celebrity status in New Zealand.[12][13] Hickey was also known for his on-air persona and gaffes, including one incident where Hickey said "comeburgers," which was then featured on Eating Media Lunch.[14]

In addition to his role as weathercaster, Hickey presented other TVNZ programmes such as Country Calendar, Jim's Car Show, A Flying Visit, How's the Weather Jim?, The Real Middle Earth[15] and the 1999 documentary, Shaky Beginnings by Bryan Bruce.[16]

Alongside his television career, Hickey co-owns a series of cafes and restaurants and has worked in the antique furniture business.[17][18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Jim Hickey". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Family First announces its Board of Reference". www.scoop.co.nz. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Board". Family First NZ. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  4. ^ "TVNZ's Jim Hickey retires". NZ Herald. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  5. ^ Hawkes, Colleen (21 February 2019). "Jim Hickey proves he is as engaging as ever, on or off the TV". Stuff. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Hickey sons to fill in grave for 'model father'". Stuff. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  7. ^ Beynen, Jack van (26 May 2018). "Attaining fame through the ages". Stuff. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Forecast: Hickey to return - New Zealand News". NZ Herald. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Jim Hickey to Retire". www.scoop.co.nz. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Fifty years of news stories through the eyes of TVNZ presenters". Stuff. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  11. ^ Dastgheib, Shabnam (24 October 2014). "Jim Hickey hangs up his umbrella". Stuff.
  12. ^ Coster, Deena (7 June 2018). "Four seasons in one day: What it's like to be the face of NZ's other national obsession". Stuff. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  13. ^ Bertrand, Kelly. "Jim Hickey finds his wings". Now To Love. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  14. ^ Casey, Alex (24 October 2014). "Sad Farewell: The Jim Hickey Reign". The Spinoff. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  15. ^ Mason, Dave; Hickey, Jim (1 January 2004). "A flying visit [videorecording] / a Rustic Road production ; produced and directed by Dave Mason". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Shaky beginnings [videorecording] : the shaping of New Zealand / with Jim Hickey ; written, directed and produced by Bryan Bruce". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  17. ^ Cowan, John. "Interview: Jim Hickey". ZB. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  18. ^ Hawkes, Colleen (19 February 2019). "Former TV weatherman Jim Hickey has found his 'happy place'". Stuff. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
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