He arrives in a fleet of eight 50cc Suzuki scooters which have criss-crossed the country since leaving Invercargill on March 5, his team including his wife, a neighbour, and a former self-harming teenager. She was in a lock-down unit when he met her "12 months and 8 days ago" and who's now challenging all her demons, looking at a nursing career, and, at 17, talking confidently to an audience of well over 100.
He spoke firstly to a group of about 150 primary school pupils from Eskdale and nearby schools, and then headed for what was to be the only other Hawke's Bay engagement, the Century at 6pm, where there was an audience of more than 150.
As it happened, the interest called for even more, so, despite the busy nature of the schedule but with the we're-here-so-why-not approach did a 4pm session at the Century Theatre, with an audience of about 140.
The last session for the day went over the two hours, demystifying the content of a package put together by a 55-year-old who's had a few lights suddenly switch on in his own life and delivered in a way which, while including a measured use of his comic pre-disposition, borders that of the religious crusader.
He doesn't go to church but says he doesn't knock religion or people's commitment to God, but church and God are just not him, so Brian Tamaki he most definitely is not.
The King style, or perhaps misconception of it, has, however, attracted some criticism, and he has in the past been stopped from appearing at some schools, the reasons seeming somewhat obscure, but possibly a fear from some professionals that there may be a less-informed approach and possibly dangerous to suicide and mental health issues.
Conversely, other schools have invited him, including in response to actual crises.
Eskdale School principal Tristan Cheer was unable to be present for the I Am Hope visit to his school, where many pupils are from families hit by the storm in the area on March 8.
But he returned to hear teachers and parents talking about the afternoon, and said: "They thought it was really positive, not only that but he kept the kids entertained and there were a lot of good messages."
There was some official affirmation yesterday, when Wellington media firm BlacklandPR named him 2017 Communicator of the Year, company director Mark Blackham saying it was "a watershed year for mental health in New Zealand, primarily because of Mike."
"His passionate and forceful position reached ordinary Kiwis, and particularly young people."
"Through the late-night radio show The Nutters Club and the Key To Life Charitable Trust, Mike has helped others express themselves, and to deal with troubles in their lives."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and movie director Taiki Waititi were runners-up.
The latter Napier gathering on Thursday was chocka with those at the coalface — representatives of 11 sectors from health professionals, school teachers, to volunteer agency support organisations accept his invitation to front on stage, and in a word or two tell what they're about.
"A lot of us do it for nothing," he says. "We all do it because we care."
While suicide and mental health are mentioned — significant proportions respond when he asks the audience if they're ever thought about suicide, had mental health issues, or been to see a counsellor — the King drive is about developing self-esteem, with emphasis on listening to the children, and developing a challenge to what he call the "inner critic."
He relates how he was "bullied" at school because of his appearance — in this case buck-toothed and with a "big head". And how his comedy helped him become a bully as it developed to garner approval from others.
"Within one week I went from being bullied to being a bully," he says. It was both his success and his downfall, he says.
He now cites the words of the 1977 George Benson hit and says: "Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all."
The I Am Hope package is about exploring one's own thoughts, and deciding to make positive change, talk, and seek help if that's what's needed, although he says: "Don't unload your crap on us."
Hugs excepted. Afterwards, Mike King has bade farewell to the queue and says: "For most blokes it is a light-bulb moment. We allow people to recognise their own journey in someone else's story."
WHERE TO GET HELP: If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111. If you need to talk to someone, the following free helplines operate 24/7: DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737 SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666 YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234