Dialogue: Flatmates need to expose emotions, not their bodies

By GRANT TAYLOR*

Love it or hate it, kiwiflatmates is a popular website. Although some recent media coverage of the venture has been less than flattering, the controversy and intrigue has spawned a flood of interest in the site.

Kiwiflatmates.com, a site where people can watch the activities of four 'flatmates' who have been brought together to live in an Auckland mansion, is the brainchild of Colin Stephenson and Karen Kay. The two entrepreneurs say they have been disappointed with the media's portrayal of their venture to date.

They are particularly upset by suggestions in a TV documentary that they were unhappy when women in the flat chose to shower in their bikinis rather than be seen naked on the webcam.

Flatmate Daryn Young says he too felt the documentary was off the mark on that point.

"They made it sound like the landlords wanted 24 hour nudity but the real issue was that the flatties were going off cam to talk about emotions, which is what should be on cam," he says.

"It's not about nudity," says Ms Kay. "It's about maintaining an open forum on the flatmates' responses to both good and bad situations."

Daryn and his flatmates Sarita Norton, Meredith Wynes and Angie Stradwick had to sign a contract when entering the flat.

Included in the contract: "Participants must keep his or her behaviour within the bounds of good taste and responsibility. The participant is not permitted to act in a manner perceived by the production company to be unlawful, pornographic, defamatory or a breach of a third parties privacy or other rights."

The contract allows participants to leave the house for only 6 hours a week which leads to some seriously entertaining antics as the flatmates relieve the frustration of being couped up. Everything from playing cards to elastics to taking a dip in the pool or lounging in the spa is used by the flatmates to release tension.

Then there's the talent of the flatmates. Darryn is a singer and songwriter, Meredith has a gorgeous voice, and Sarita has some…extreme dance moves. With all the laughs, practical jokes and parties, KiwiFlatmates.com is rarely a dull place.

The Kiwiflatmates mansion is not just about the inevitable arguments and occasional deceit when people live together. It's a house of laughter and fun. Altogether, a "real life" look at the views and opinions of young New Zealanders.

* Grant Taylor is an Auckland systems engineer.

kiwiflatmates.com