Lessons in isolation from man who's spent 40 years on an island in the Hauraki Gulf

Colin McLaren, 77, has spent 40 years on Rakino Island in the Hauraki Gulf - his unique lifestyle now explored in a new film 'The Man on the Island'. Photo / Supplied

271120supmanonisland2.JPGColin McLaren, 77, has spent 40 years on Rakino Island in the Hauraki Gulf - his unique lifestyle now explored in a new film 'The Man on the Island'. Photo / Supplied

271120supmanonisland1.JPGShot during Covid-19, the global pandemic put a new slant on the film. Photo / Supplied

Gianina Schwaneckegianina.schwanecke@nzme.co.nz

For 77-year-old Colin McLaren, who's spent the past 40 years on a remote island in the Hauraki Gulf - Rakino - the concept of isolation is nothing new.

McLaren shares some of his observations and lessons in a new film about his unusual lifestyle, 'The Man on the Island', with a special screening in Napier on Saturday afternoon featuring a Q+A session with writer-producer-director Simon Mark-Brown.

In more than 30 years of film and documentary making, Mark-Brown had never quite met someone like McLaren.

"[About 10 years ago] We bought some land on this Island Rakino," he said.

"There are only about 19 people on the whole island and we heard about this strange chap next door, Colin, who was a font of knowledge."

Intrigued, by McLaren's decision to lead such an isolated life, he set about befriending him, the two sharing an interest in design and architecture.

"He was a very knowledgeable, creative chap."

Shot during Covid-19, the global pandemic put a new slant on the film. Photo / Supplied

While it took McLaren about 10 years to get comfortable with the idea of Mark-Brown making a film about him, they eventually sat down to do it, filming during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"That put a new slant on it," Mark-Brown said.

"We are the isolated country at the end of the world and he's this isolated chap on an island. "

Despite this, he's never bored or lonely.

"He's made a conscious decision to remove himself from society

The film explores McLaren's reasons for moving to such a remote part of the world and what kind of life he's built for himself on the island.

There's a tension between what billionaires dream of and the reality of Colin McLaren's [pictured] life on an isolated island, director Simon Mark-Brown said. Photo / Suppplied

There's an interesting tension between what billionaires dream of - pristine beaches and azure seas - and the reality of McLaren's life in a dilapidated home with no indoor toilet, Mark-Brown said.

As for McLaren, he's enjoying his newfound fame while still living the life he designed for himself.

"Some people still say [I have] the best beach on the island," he said/

"I'm very happy with my situation."

The special screening will be held at the Globe Theaterette at 8pm, tomorrow.

More information can be found online at: globenapier.co.nz/movie/the-man-on-the-island/