What inspires her is to 'work with great people on great projects'. Jennifer Ward-Lealand is fluent in te reo the language of New Zealand's indigenous Māori people. Ward-Lealand, who herself is not Māori, started learning the language after not being able to respond to a traditional , or welcome speech. She has directed Aroha Awaru's scripts, such as Exclusive in 2020. 2021 led to a new challenge through collaboration with Awaru and the producer Peata Melbourne. Ward-Lealand took on screen direction of the short film Disrupt about P addiction in Aotearoa, ending with a message of hope and redemption. Filmography Stage performances Gifted the title, Te Atamira (The Stage), Jennifer Ward-Lealand has been involved in over 120 performances. Refer to her web-site for student and devised work, play readings, workshops and guest appearances. Theatre direction Ward-Lealand has directed a significant range of theatre performances, working first in 2002 with Unitec acting students in a production of The Big River. Since then, she has directed a range of shows, including A Christmas Carol (2003) for Auckland Theatre Company adapted by Dave Armstrong at Sky City Theatre (2003), the caberet Jaques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, (Silo Theatre) (2005); Top Girls by Caryl Churchill at Unitec (2008); Tic Tic a comedy by Paul Barrett and Michelanne Forster (2010); Fallout: the Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior with The Large Group (2015); Hudson & Hall Live! – Silo and that That Bloody Woman by Luke Di Somma and Gregory Cooper (2017 tour). Accolades Ward-Lealand's contribution to New Zealand theatre was recognised in 2007 New Year Honours with her investiture as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to theatre and the community. In 2017 Ward-Lealand was gifted the name Te Atamira (The Stage) by Sir Tīmoti Kāretu and the late Prof Te Wharehuia Milroy. In October 2018 she was presented with a Scroll of Honour from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand for her contribution to New Zealand entertainment. In 2019| Ward-Lealand was awarded the Westpac Women of Influence Award for Arts & Culture. In 2019| she gained an Award of Excellence as an Actress in theAccolade Global Film Competitions In the 2019 New Year Honours, Ward-Lealand was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to theatre, film and television and for her advocacy for actors' working conditions and pay.