A lyrical, informative and unique film ‘A Different Living’, illuminating the everyday life of Nelson artist, athlete and politician Mike Ward is being screened at Luxe Cinema in Tauranga, starting today.

Mike Ward is famous as a frequent exhibitor and oft-times winner at the World of Wearable Art.

He is also renowned as a politician so strong on the issues that make up the policies of the Green Party that there was a suggestion that he should stand for the post of president on the untimely death of Rod Donald, its leader, in 2005.

“We discover his unorthodox, deeply positive & very creative views on art, the meaning of success and the absurdities of life,” says Nelson Film Society member Chris Watson.

The film, made by Nelson filmmaker David Kolff is touring the country, and has been a huge success in its home town of Nelson.

“The man concerned has lived such a life in the culture and politics of Aotearoa that people around the country will find the film to be enjoyable and of interest,” says Chris.

Nelson Film Society member Chris Watson has reviewed the film:

“So many people knew Mike Ward from contact over the years that they were drawn to this film and the fact that it so faithfully portrayed both the man and the place where he lived appealed to many,” says Chris.

“Fortunately, Mike, the athlete, runs by lots of familiar landscapes – along Nelson’s coastal road, through the parklands - to the coffee stall in the field below the popular hill walk to the ‘Centre of New Zealand’.

Chris says Mike’s many successes on the demanding Coast-to-Coast races are well documented on film and must have contributed to Mike’s robust health at the age of eighty.

“Then, there is the pleasure of seeing his many contributions to the annual ‘World of Wearable Art’ competition ruefully transferred from Nelson to Wellington in the year of Mike’s greatest achievement.

“Most spectacularly it is the success of that entry, made in the year that he lost his seat in parliament that is well presented in this film.”

Chris says the film’s director David Kolff has gained access to several historically significant moments from archival sources.

“The simplicity of that particular WOW entry was indicative of the limited time that he could extract from the demanding life of an MP for the Green party. Mike admits to being sad about the loss of that parliamentary position in 2005,” says Chris.

“As in all his statements about life he is optimistic about the ability of politicians to change things for the better – admittedly slowly - and not without strong pressure from the ordinary people in society. In view of current tribulations, it is cheering to come across an ‘optimistic politician’ - as Mike says he is happy to be called.”

Chris says, sadly, on the night of the film’s première in Nelson, Mike had been struck with belated Covid and could not be present in an enclosed environment but “bravely stood, masked, in the rain, on the pavement, outside Nelson’s State Cinema, to receive the congratulations of the audience as people left the cinema”, says Chris.