I also used to work on a product like this (pre-ChatGPT). Largely what the tech companies do is talk to something like Microsoft's AI bot services and just build an app around them to sell.

I just thought I'd share this, b/c I think it's interesting that this feminisation goes further than tech.

A lot of NZ examples are companies buying off the shelf digital assistants from tech companies which are completely character-neutral, & it's the NZ business's design teams who decide to feminise them.

(Obviously, feminising bots has been popular in tech since Siri, so agree w/ the sentiment)

Good news: we're gonna get a kitten in the new year 🥹
Bad news: allergies mean we gotta buy a special kitten
Good news: the breeders are really nice and really love their animals
Bad news: we still have to buy a bunch of kitten things
Good news: husband & I watched 2 Jane Austen films together 🥰

BICHON!!!!!

National is not popular in that electorate at all. Both JAG & Fleur soundly defeated the National candidate in electoral votes last election by a wide margin. JAG is also high on the list so would get in regardless. Rongotai & Central Welly have never had a left split under MMP.

He's just too cautious. I get that perhaps this was a winning strategy in the past, but it is not in 2025 with the kind of government we have. He should be making a ruckus in the news and on social media everyday. That's how elections are being won in the 2020s. This is how ACT and NZF get votes.

Didn't he say they were reversing this ages ago????

God, he has got to go. He just won't commit to anything when he needs to be on top of things.

Good.

If they don't come out smashing with some big policies, I will be very cross.

Hipkins is my MP and I wrote him a long email about this.

Even if he / the party gives us a statement now, it's too little, too late for me. They should have had a statement prepared for something like this, no matter their position w/ NZF.

When is the AGM?

The pattern in the mug looks disjointed in places. Also, not impossible, but why is there a mug at this cocktail/wine bar, especially since she already has a drink?

I also think the lighting feels a bit off. The lighting in the background is very dark while the foreground is pretty illuminated.

Not just you 😵‍💫