When he was in Parliament, he was the Green Party spokesperson on Arts and Culture, Older Persons, Small Business, Sports, Fitness and Leisure, Tourism and Waste-free.

Following the death of Rod Donald, shortly after the 2005 election, Ward put his name forward as a contender for the male co-leader position.

He lost the position on 3 June 2006 at the annual meeting to Russel Norman in an STV vote by delegates from electorates around the country.

Ward initially declined to stand aside so that Russel Norman, the now co-leader, could take Tánczos's list seat when he resigned from Parliament.

Ward changed his mind, because of the advantages in having the party co-leader in Parliament during an election year,[8] and Norman became an MP on 27 June.

In 2005, shortly after that year's general election, Ward won the Montana World of Wearable Art Supreme Award.