Former TVNZ Staff member destroys Mike Hosking

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Former TVNZ Staff member, Liz Gunn, destroys Mike Hosking in her Facebook post calling on TVNZ to sack him…

I remember when I worked with him , he maintained as his mantra, with his now usual level of inordinate pride, the intended-to-be sardonic saying of Gordon Gecko in the original ” Wall St ” movie – namely , that ” Greed Is Good” . He often repeated it off air, with that faux air of Great Authority . We all thought he was joking at first, but he was serious . I started to feel nauseous as I heard it repeated on many days, and as I saw the results of such a perspective in his approach to interviewees, and in his manipulative media pronouncements -now foisted on viewers each evening at peak time, and always aimed at endorsing Neo Liberal ideology . He has maintained that dire stance throughout his career, admiring those who exhibit the most greed and reviling those who struggle under the weight and demands of the greedy few . When I left TVNZ , I left with the most profound pity for such a dessicated human , so bereft of empathy or compassion for his fellow Kiwis , especially those who are facing difficulty or , God forbid, failure . The year I did Breakfast with him , he went out of his way to undermine me in every way he could find . My goal became a very simple one…to get in early and sit quietly in that darkened studio and say a quiet resolution – a whispered prayer -asking for help so that I would never react and never never sink to his level. That I would maintain my own dignity and never let the hurts show in any overt reaction to his many attempts to humiliate and belittle . It was a year of teeth-gritting , white knuckle survival . A quiet triumph . Every day. Over the passive and overt bullying . I have never spoken of it in public until now , when it is relevant here, to the issue of the sort of man whom TVNZ have placed in such a position of influence. I used to wonder if he would ever find that point where his lust for money or power could be satiated ? If he would ever find authentic , not trumped -up happiness, on that heavy path of the pursuit of “still-more money “? And I wondered too what had shaped a man so lacking in human kindness ? I hope he can one day turn this around. He always wanted to be Paul Holmes but he never could emulate the real Paul . In spite of Paul’s self -admitted human fallibilities, Paul genuinely cared for people when he saw them suffering . He had a huge heart for Kiwis . Paul himself knew suffering. I wonder if Mike has ever allowed himself to feel that vulnerability? Do those who won’t open to their own pain , risk becoming in-suffer-able.? I do not think he is a healthy touchstone for NZ broadcasting . I hope with time and perhaps some of the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, himself, he can find a more real place , a more human face , a more caring heart for his fellow Kiwis . Until then, I wish for a far more empathetic nightly host to take his place at 7 pm . I endorse this petition . Liz Gunn

…our public broadcaster has a responsibility to live up to its fourth estate obligations, to hold the powerful to account and champion the underdog – Hosking is a rich powerful arsehole whose privileged existence mirrors the same rich powerful arseholes who get away with so much in NZ.

Sign the petition here.

107 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you Liz Gun.

    Most Kiwi’s know that Hosking is an obnoxious little man with very few principles and even less friends.

    In our home, we do not watch his idiotic show, never.
    But one day not to far away, his day in the sun will be over.

    He is like Trump in some ways, with his weird outlook on life, ruled by money and with little empathy for other than his own like.
    But the tide will turn against him.

  2. “Most Kiwi’s know that Hosking is an obnoxious little man with very few principles and even less friends.”

    THIS IS SO CORRECT AND WAS THE REASON BEHIND WHY OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS NOW TURNED OFF WATCH TV ONE PERIOD AS IF THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT EMBRACES THIS KIND OF ROLE MODEL WE WONT SUPPORT ANY OF TV ONE’S PROGRAMING.

    What we need is our opposition MP’s who represent our half of the voters block TAKE BACK OUR HALF OF TVNZ AND RNZ AND USE OUR PROGRAMERS TO GIVE US QUALITY PROGRAMS AS WE PREPARE FOR THE NEXT POSSIBLLE SHOCK SNAP ELECTION COMMING EARLY NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!

  3. TV3 although not great have a better format with a more diverse hosts. Lets see how that goes. Hoskings came from humble beginnings, and I guess power and money have been allowed (by him) to corrupt. Nothing wrong with having money, but he’s attributing it to him being more superior because he has more money and his face in on TV and voice on the radio. Infact it’s the exec producers which should be held to account.

  4. Thank you Liz Gunn…..I have known that world intimately, that he lives in. It is exactly as he portrays it to be – it is the 1%. It is the Berlusconi Effect (now the Trump Effect)….its mantra is as you say it is. Translated into, “follow me, be like me and you will be rich like me”, which as we do all know, is the ultimate lie of the Trickle Down theory. It is a total con.

    None of that worries me any more – I lived in Italy through Berlusconi and couldnt understand how the Italians could believe it…then it turned up here in the form of Hosking, being the front man for the NZ 1%’ers.
    The big puzzle for me, is Toni Street – we know she is unwell and yet, every night she puts herself through the insulting, humiliating hell of being publicly psychologically abused in front of the whole nation.
    The message it sends to women horrifies me, when in every town we see signs on the side of the road, condemning domestic violence – yet we are subjected to it, overtly on our screens nightly?
    In Ohakune, I think the sign reads, “The only thing in this town that explodes, is the mountain” ….. not so. TVOne, Mon-Fri, too.

    Domestic Violence is insidious. It starts with innuendos, small put downs. It then goes on, with women behaving exactly as Toni, smiling and trying to put a brave front on it, with the man never smiling while he makes outrageous comments, if you notice carefully…and then the woman changes the conversation, trying to steer away from trouble – an outburst, which always has the same theme “You are wrong and I am right”…..
    Ending always the same: a soliloquuy, in which the Abuser states his warped case, as if it is gospel, and ending with a knowing, bon homie smile – “Of course I am right. You know I am right because I am the man and I know best, dont I? ”
    We ought to be ashamed of ourselves, every one of us, that we allow this abuse in our homes, every night.
    There is only one way to stop domestic violence, and that is to get up and leave. And thats what we should be doing to TVOne, specifically, this programme.

    • I hate the way he taps his pen,like a judge with the ………!Tony Street reacts well when he’s trying to humiliate her,that helps show his arrogance.I use to see him at a particular bottle shop every evening,loading up on wine,it made me wonder if apart from being delusional,he could well have addiction issue’s.

    • I cannot agree more. I feel humiliated for Toni and disempowered BY Her accepting Hoskings behaviour. It’s absolutely appalling to behold. I feel I should call the police and report it, it’s so obvious and atrocious.

  5. I don’t and won’t have the following in my home..car..or device
    Hosking
    Henry
    Gower
    Garner
    Corrin Dan
    Leighton Smith
    Larry Williams
    NZ Herald
    Stuff
    Matthew Hooten
    Plunkett
    Lisa Owen
    Martyn Bradbury is welcome any time.
    Liz Gunn has guts speaking out and i hope she has a case for workplace bullying and pursues it.
    I hope others have the courage too come forward and do what’s right.
    As for Hosking hating the poor thats his failure as a tolerant human being.
    Those with the least always give the most .
    That’s our proud kiwi tradition.

      • Was hoping Hilary Barry would have sorted him out on national television with her fist after his comments about her breasts.

        Which would have brought us to Patrick Gower.

    • I watch TV1 news at 6 only until the first time I hear or see Hosking, which usually means the first ad break. With a muttered “f…k off you $#@!**#$” the channel is changed straight away.
      I wonder what TV1’s reaction would be if lots of viewers did the same and told TV1 their reasons.
      TV1’s advertisers wouldn’t like it, I imagine.

    • Nice list, but I’d just go with Mediaworks to save on typing. Sure, there’s a few good eggs in Mediaworks, but they are inevitably forced to be rotten

    • There’s nothing wrong with Mike my friends and I love his show he’s a great dad very caring so ok he can be over the top sometimes but that is part of his personality these comments are so nasty give the man a break

      • Kathy are you a troll?????????? Never mind I’ll bite. Hosking is a toxic, ignorant, uneducated, uninformed, inarticulate, shallow greedy, stupid, myopic, braindead Tory propagandist. We are all sick of the sight and sound of this shithead. we need some balance. He is not a positive influence in anyway shape or form. And lastly but not least , HE IS NOT A JOURNALIST!

        • YEP SHONA – KATHY – SHES A REAL NATZ TROLL ALRIGHT!

          LEAVE HER ON THE SIDE OF THE PLATE, AND SCOOP HER INTO THE RUBBISH AFTER.

        • Sounds like Mrs Hosking part deux, defending her hubby. Sometimes called Kathy, sometimes Kate.

          Good on her for her loyalty, albeit of the trolling variety.

      • Yes Cathy, in my line of work, we call his personality, histrionic personality disorder. Google search the traits, they are Mike too a tee.

      • Giving Hosking a “break” in the first place was a massive mistake.
        Take your rose coloured glasses off
        If you think that his only fault is being over the top then you aren’t being objective.
        Liz Gun has summed up this guy perfectly.

      • Give Hosking a break, start at the neck
        Since when did He Ever give any1 else a Break ? Au contraire he delights in sniping, sneering, baiting, being Superior ( on what basis)
        Do the country a favour and dump him, U’ll actually hear the average national IQ go up a little ! ……

      • I think the “he’s a great Dad” gave it away that it was Kathy Hosking leaping to his defense.

      • agreed- no need for us all to be hypocrites.
        Should we not practice what we preach &
        just sign¿ (Silently).

      • Agreed, to a point.
        No need for us all to be hypocrites.
        Should we not practice what we preach &
        just sign¿ (Silently).

      • ‘These comments are so nasty’ we don’t get paid to be nasty like Mike, Kathy and he’s a good father but he don’t give a shit about poor working struggling families with children. ‘Oh but he’s a good dad’so that makes it alright for him to be nasty to others does it Kathy. That is why our country is in such a mess because of shallow people like Kathy

  6. Thank you Liz Gun. This is so refreshing, have signed the petition and yes please,please,please Paul Henry next. . He is another with a sidekick woman to smile like a mummy to her cheeky 4 year old. Why do these woman choose this role, it is sad and degrading. Letting, worse, paying these guys to “masturbate” in front of a mirror every day and night is just vomit worthy. BE GONE!

    Hosking and Henry would suit better some heels, a wig and a seat at Versailles on the 5 Oct 1789. VIVE LA REVOLUTION!!

  7. A CEO of a well known N.Z company , who I am related to through marriage, and deals with these people regularly, told me that these people are “actually a bit thick”. (His exact words).
    Key
    English
    Joyce
    Brownlee
    Hosking
    Henry
    I’d suspected this all along but his frank honesty had to be admired.

    • A bit !
      That’s a considerable understatement .
      They are all actor’s and are known to lack any intellectual fire power.
      I have heard similar criticisms.

    • I’d have to agree with that. Met English once many years ago and he came across as rather dim. I’m always amazed this guy is technically in charge of running the country’s finances. I don’t think he’s a sociopath/narcissist like Key though, if that’s any kind of a compliment….Let’s face it, you’d have to be a bit dim to ignore overwhelming evidence that free market ideology presents a threat to the planet and everything that lives on it.

  8. Thanks Grant,

    I’ve never had the “displeasure” of meeting “Key” but have meet Brownlee once and Joyce twice and but none of the other three of which I am grateful.

    My impression.

    Joyce is a bombastic over confident idiot who really does not care to listen and actually responds better by mail (email) of which I have several after meeting him, and his letters made far more thoughtful sense I must honestly say, than actually standing/sitting talking to him ever did.

    Bownlee was courteous when I met him, and was not overbearing as Joyce was, and left me with some hope but since then no actual results.

    My feeling is now that all other Ministers from National are largely controlled by National’s campaign Manager Steven Joyce so I concur with this analogy that they are “actually a bit thick”.

    This wold appear to be because if our minds are controlled by others we do become “thick” because we loose our given spiritual connection with our true inner thoughts we generate and simply wind up to follow others.

    This will destroy National in the end. (I am not a psychiatrist)

    • and his letters made far more thoughtful sense I must honestly say, than actually standing/sitting talking to him ever did.

      Unfortunately you are making the assumption that Joyce wrote such responses, usually a staffer does, the ministers read and sign them.

      • Christy said;

        “Unfortunately you are making the assumption that Joyce wrote such responses, usually a staffer does, the ministers read and sign them.”

        WRONG YET AGAIN MR Christie,

        We had it verified,

        Also it was evident by the questions we had asked Joyce at the meeting months before, and with four witness’s who agreed it was him that penned the letter so forget your conspirator theory there boy. Let it go!

        And we all agreed he answered them as no one who wasn’t there! “as it happened 300 kms from his staffer”

        • Dont they use emails? So what the staffer was 300 kms away? Noone believes that they 1..answr mail, use Twiiter -except Tau Henare; run their Fb page… The only thing they have to do is speak and then The Gang of Four usually cover that.

  9. Signed it.

    And left this comment;

    “If the issue of Mike Hoskings’ Freedom of Speech arises, then I challenge not that right, but what he says with it. To hear a challenging view that questions the status quo or challenges authority or challenges middle class values – is one thing. To hear a nightly rant castigating those at the bottom of the socio-economic heap is not challenging, it is a reinforcement of privilege; the status quo; of authority. That is not questioning, that is being a mouthpiece. That is not what I expect from the media.”

  10. It’s been great watching this petition climb steadily at 1000 signatures per day – and interesting that it not be reported on. Then Liz gunn added her voice and insight, so brave, and good on her.
    So I googled ‘Liz gunn mike hosking” to see if there was a story in the mainstream media yet and Stuff had put one up 5 hours ago, but when you click on it it just takes you through to the home page of Stuff and the story is not there – is it possible he’s had it pulled?

    • This happened regularly in the lead up to recent elections. Anytime a wayward journalist posted something pro labour, greens or NZ first, within about 20-30 minutes it was removed. It happened almost every day.

      One of the many telling ones was the story about the $65 million sale of one of Hubbards farms near Ashburton. He was about $50 million up on that one. That article came up at 7:30 on a friday and was gone by 8:30.

      • I’ve noticed this lately in the Herald also. Very quick to pull opinion pieces you can comment on and also people like Tevett, Hide, Hoskings etc that are opinion pieces only with no right of reply. Is this the sort of one sided media trash we will come to expect leading up until the election?

      • Same thing before the budget early in the year I heard a report from a financial analyst that English had fixed the number’s so he could reach the surplus they were desperate to get, in effect he was taking money out of other areas to make it balance.
        That story aired only once and was dropped .

  11. Hosking is a voice for that part of NZ society that is mean, selfish, arrogant and complacent. His political bias is breathtakingly obvious, as is his smirking self-worship. Why did he get these presenter jobs? What does he actually bring to the media? Neither insightful commentary, nor balance, nor incisive questioning, nor respect for his interviewees. His wilful ignorance about such critical issues as climate change, social justice and resource management is immoral and despicable. I can’t think why he was allowed to breed, let alone be a media ‘personality’

    • Geez, it’s so refreshing to see that there are so many other people out there who loathe this cretin as much as me. It had gotten to the stage where I had lost respect for a NZ that voted a corporate creep like Key in time and again, and operate in a system that allows a moron like Hosking to ascend to the heights of ‘journalism’ that he has done.

  12. Talking of a bit thick, oh please please evict Heather DP from our living rooms while you’re at it!

  13. I’ve tried googling this story to see the fallout in the media and there is only a link pointing to a story on stuff…. but it appears as though the story has been taken down… media cover up in the making?

    Massive respect to Liz for speaking up. Best wishes Liz

    Link text

    Former colleague accuses Mike Hosking of “overt” workplace bullying

    Look address

    https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/81217347/former-colleague-accuses-mike-hosking-of-overt-workplace-bullying&ved=0ahUKEwi2z5Ws1bPNAhWIrJQKHa6SBDQQqG8IGTAA&usg=AFQjCNEmL0D9p9ahFdYZj5xbPSJaozowKA&sig2=p5gQrwa-OjHQA30D_FwUYg

  14. Whether we like it or not Hosking has the power. He is the voice of the nation.

    John Roughan wrote, “Hosking is only one man and was speaking from gut instinct but he rules the ratings on breakfast radio and prime time television these days and you don’t do that without a very good gut instinct. I felt sad, ineffably sad for the country.”

    The weird thing is Roughan being so naive and thick about the state we have reached – the state that he and his ilk have piloted us to. In the vehicle which he and his ilk have given Hosking the keys to.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11642134

    • The good thing is the stench from Hosking is filling all our nostrils. He is the best advertisement for the rot of neo liberalism there is.

      He is also there only because of Stephen Joyce.

      No more , no less.

      And while you may think he has some sort of intuitive grip on the nations mood… the fact is he is a plant. And anyone could do that job.

      He is,..similar to ..who was he again?… the plant put in charge of TV3… who was sacked recently. And the reality is when National fold in 2017,… so too will Mike Hosking. He knows that.. and most observers know that.

      He will then , after that election… be shifted to a less prominent position… in the background… a little like Paul Henry who couldn’t foot it with the big boys in Australia and had to slink back home with his tail between his legs.

      These TV ‘celebrity’s ‘…these ‘voices of the nation’ are only a mock up.

      They only have gained that position because of political interference in our media. Once this govt is gone… so too will they.

      • *Celebrities.

        There are an awful lot of people belittling other people’s intelligence on here. Best they learn basic spelling and grammar before casting stones.

    • PETE SAID;
      “Whether we like it or not Hosking has the power. He is the voice of the nation”

      THEN WE BARE REALLY IN DEEP SHIT SO THERE IS A MUCH GRETER REASON FOR MY CLAIM THAT THE OPPOSITION PARTIES NOW BGET THE CONTROL BACK OF OURLEGAL RIGHTS AS HALF THE VOTING BLOCK AND TAX PAYERS OF HALF OF TVNZ/RNZ THAT IS CURRENTLY USED IMDESCRIMINATELY AS A PROPAGANDA MACHINE FOR A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT. SIMPLE REALLY IF YOU WANT A balanced media again eh!

  15. Liz Gunn.

    That’s my highland Scots clan on my dads side.

    Clan Gunn.

    And … ” My goal became a very simple one…to get in early and sit quietly in that darkened studio and say a quiet resolution – a whispered prayer -asking for help so that I would never react and never never sink to his level. ”…

    Here’s also a piece of Gunn laconic humour when they shot a Kieth clan chief with an arrow to the chest for kidnapping a Gunn Princess…

    ‘ By this time it was night, and through the narrow window Henry Gunn and his brothers looked in and saw the Keiths drinking ale and relating to their hosts, the Sutherlands, the incidents of the day’s encounter. Little Henry watched his chance, and as the Chief of the Keith’s raised the tankard to his lips he bent his bow and sent an arrow through his heart, at the same time calling out “Beannachd na Guinnich do ‘n Chai”—the Gunn’s compliment to Keith! ‘

    And you exposing that nasty piece of shit Hosking and having a quiet word of prayer is that arrow.

  16. I would also suggest TDB keep this a running campaign to get rid of Hosking.

    He occupy’s another key position in the media that is a direct political interference by the National party to sway public opinion.

    He and his opinions do not represent the true heartfelt mood of this nation as witnessed by the recent mass media coverage of the housing/ poverty and immigration issues.

    As such he should be stood down for direct political bias and complicity in political interference of our media.

  17. PETE SAID;
    “Whether we like it or not Hosking has the power. He is the voice of the nation”

    THEN WE BARE REALLY IN DEEP SHIT SO THERE IS A MUCH GRETER REASON FOR MY CLAIM THAT THE OPPOSITION PARTIES NOW BGET THE CONTROL BACK OF OURLEGAL RIGHTS AS HALF THE VOTING BLOCK AND TAX PAYERS OF HALF OF TVNZ/RNZ THAT IS CURRENTLY USED IMDESCRIMINATELY AS A PROPAGANDA MACHINE FOR A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT. SIMPLE REALLY IF YOU WANT A balanced media again eh!

  18. I am not a fan of any on this list, but there is no way that I will lower myself to be mean and nasty about any of them. The problem is that too many people are prepared to bully. We only know their front of camera persona. I am saying my piece just as you all are so don’t start calling me names (such as troll) because of what I have to add. In the times of so much social bullying we need to step back and offer a kind word or two.

    • But Cheryl. Hosking called people who vote Labour “a bunch of morons” on national television which is paid for by all taxpayers.
      That is biased bully ignorant talk !
      So why is that acceptable and why should he be allowed to get away with it ?
      I think you just have to accept that he’s an absolute waaannker!!!

      • 10000% GRANT, Cheryl Key has taken us from that compassionate world you remind us of into a dog eats dog world and we are only fighting their evil and trying to wake up NZ who are now stunned by Government carry on.

        Just watch Question And answer at 2pm on Parliament channel Tuesday to Thursday to see what we mean they are rabid dogs attacking the opposition all the time.

      • At least the point she made was clearer than your vague backhander, LRL.

        The thing is about Hosking isn’t just that the man is a pompous oaf, parading around in his privilege and displaying his ignorance for all to see, but that TVNZ refuses to put on a suitable counter-balance to his obnoxious bigotry. That’s what I find stomach-turning, there’s no counter-balance and Hosking is permitted to spew his drivel every night, attacking hard working ordinary men and women.

        Not that you’d understand any of this, LRL. Your two-sentence fly-by post appears to be the limit of your intellect (and I use that term in the broadest possible sense) and attention span.

  19. Hoseking is a symptom. A symptom of the scourge of neoliberalism. The dumbed-down everyone for themselves mantra that has been on auto repeat for decades. But as with all things, it’s time has come. And Hoseking, along with his fellow enablers and sycophants, will most likely not prosper in the post neoliberal environment.

  20. It’s very refreshing to realize how many people are finally waking up to what a piece of trash Hosking is, you can see why him and key are such good mates, they both have the smiling assassin lack of any empathy traits in common.
    Hosking will state some ridiculous, often completely heartless opinions as facts, then give you his smarmy little smile at the end of the show.
    Seriously is the nats running TVNZ now days or what, any presence of state independence has gone.
    It’s interesting we haven’t heard much about the ratings for Seven Sharp lately, it would be interesting to see if they are taking a bit of a dip.

  21. The scary part is how Stuff took down the article with lightning speed, once they realised that
    a) Mike Hosking is a “star” of one of NZME’s biggest brands (Newstalk ZB)
    And b) The owners of Stuff are in merger talks with NZME.

    All of a sudden, the true horror of a potential media monopoly is clear as day.

  22. I find Mike Hoskings to be a rude arrogant pompous arse. When the story about the mayor in Taranaki not running for re-election due to racist issues Mikes reaction was exactly what the Mayor was talking about. I find him out of touch and lacking in any sort of empathy to his fellow human beings. I hope Toni Street gets paid a lot of money having to work with him as I could not. TV1 will never be on at 7pm in my household as long as he is on the show. Really TVNZ Paul Holmes Campbell to this frigin Idiot Sir Paul must be rolling in his grave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. I am sick of hearing such an un-empathic dick on our airwaves. For example, Hosking belittled people who were protesting about the TPP basically saying that they probably didn’t have jobs so had the time to protest. A lot of people have died for the right to exercise their right to peacefully protest and that right has been inherited with our democracy. Hosking just reckoned they were all dole bludgers! Get off the air!!!

  24. I am sick of hearing such an un-empathic dick on our airwaves. For example, Hosking belittled people who were protesting about the TPP basically saying that they probably didn’t have jobs so had the time to protest. A lot of people have died for the right to exercise their right to peacefully protest and that right has been inherited with our democracy. Hosking just reckoned they were all dole bludgers! Get off the air!!!

  25. I see that it is now reported on www. trollcity.co.nz (aka http://www.stuff.co.nz) that the petition has now reached 12,000 signatures. Nor an inconsiderable number.
    Time to e-mail TV NZ and threaten en mass to boycott TV NZ until he is removed. The more that do this the more pressure will come from the advertisers, who pay big money for prime time ads, to get rid of Hosking.
    They won’t get rid of this jerk until he becomes an economic liability, so let’s make that happen!

  26. Haha, what a complete bunch of idiots that post this dross on a guy that you do not like pointing out some of the hypocrisy of the left. And therein lies the reason your sad little parties languish in the polls and will lose for a 4th time at the next election. So, just waiting for the normal lefty vitriol and uppercase shouty responses. You lot are really quite entertaining. Just like Mike.

    • The true entertainment here is watching trolls like yourself reinventing their names to desperately try to prove there is some kind of growing support for Hosking.
      I’m curious, Cam, how many different names do you use now?

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