KEY POINTS:
As Bill Payne lay in his hospital bed in 2005, his body shutting down slowly, he was unable to do the one thing he loved - write.
But one man's perseverance is about to make up for that.
A script Payne wrote in 1988, called Day Trip, is to be made into a short film by veteran New Zealand filmmaker Costa Botes.
Payne's son Tyler said this meant a lot to him, his family, and to those who had read his father's work.
"It's been three years since Dad died and I get this news - I am truly touched. This is redemption for the fact he was unable to produce any work in the last years of his life."
Bill Payne died of liver failure on September 1, 2005.
"On a personal level, I feel like I owe it to myself, and to Bill to finish what was started. It's a neat little yarn, with a positive message. It can only do good in the world," said Botes.
He applied for funding from the New Zealand Film Commission when he received the script in 1990, but the application was rejected.
The same thing happened 10 years later, when Payne was very ill.
"It was a big disappointment for both of us when the second attempt failed as well," said Botes.
Last year, Botes started work with director Zoe McIntosh who had a background in shooting documentaries with ex-gang members - making her a "perfect fit" for the script, according to Botes.
It was a case of third time lucky. Creative New Zealand granted Botes.
But by the time they got the grant, Payne had died.
The story is about a child-like gang member from Wellington who, on a whim, takes a ferry to Picton for a visit.
Tyler Payne said he had always loved the story and could not wait to see it on the big screen.
"I just wish Dad was here to see the finished product."
But the story does not yet have a happy ending, as the project has run into a problem.
Botes said the key moment in the story came while the gang member was on the ferry, crossing Cook Strait.
"Neither of the two shipping services want to host us. Toll Shipping have a no-gangs policy, and would not bend even to a fictional gang member.
"Bluebridge's attitude was even more disappointing - it did not see participation as having any promotional benefit to it."
If the companies would not relent, he would have to change the script.
"Sometimes problems can be opportunities in disguise."
Payne's close friend Pam Corkery, who recently completed a documentary on Auckland gangs, said it was "ridiculous and absurd" that the ferry companies would not allow filming.
"I think this film should be made for Bill's sake. He was a fantastic writer ... He didn't produce much in the last few years because he physically couldn't, I think."
Payne was sent to four years in prison in 1985, charged with importing class A drugs.
"He spent a lot of his life abusing drugs and alcohol, said Tyler Payne. . "Although it wasn't very productive for him or the people around him, it was those experiences that provided a lot of material for his stories and poems."
He wrote two books - a collection of short stories, titled Poor Behaviour, and the other an account of gang life, called Staunch. He was published in collections of short stories and poetry, and was the author of the award-winning short film Bella.
