Expert: Hotchin came across as cold

Mark Hotchin. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Mark Hotchin is emotionless and lacks real empathy with the investors who have been left out-of-pocket.

That's the verdict of Sydney-based body language expert Michael Kelly, who watched Hotchin's interview on TVNZ's Close Up so he could give an expert analysis for the Herald on Sunday.

His verdict on Hotchin was scathing. Kelly said it looked like Hotchin believed he was an ethical guy who "has convinced himself he has done no wrong".

His body language does not reveal a lot of empathy "and he came across as cold".

"You would think he would have a lot more empathy for people who have lost their life-savings," he said.

Kelly, of Kelly Speech Communication, said Hotchin appeared to have taken a hard-line, intellectual, corporate approach with his message to the public. "He's not relating on a human level. He's too detached".

Kelly said Hotchin appeared uncomfortable and nervous during the interview but it was ultimately like he was in a board meeting.

Kelly said Hotchin was "a bit robotic" with his responses and it was if he had been trained what to say by a PR expert. His responses were just too "quick".