| Jim Hickey | |
| Birth Date: | 1949 8, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Taranaki, New Zealand |
| Nationality: | New Zealander |
| Employer: | TVNZ |
| Occupation: | Weather presenter, restaurateur |
| Known For: | Broadcasting |
| Spouse: | Sue Hickey |
| Children: | 4 |
| Organisation: | Family First New Zealand (board member) |
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.
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.
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.[7]
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, following Brendan Horan's retirement.[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]