Property developer who can’t repay deposits seeks $2m for new virtual reality project

✕ Framing By Emphasis: The headline emphasizes the contradiction between insolvency and seeking new investment, which draws attention to ethical concerns without sensationalizing.

"Property developer who can’t repay deposits seeks $2m for new virtual reality project"

✓ Balanced Reporting: The lead introduces the core conflict clearly—insolvency versus new venture—while attributing claims to the subject and setting up investigative scrutiny.

"Samuel Macfarlane told Stuff earlier this month that his company, MGM Homes, was insolvent and unable to fully repay customers demanding their deposits back."

✕ Loaded Language: Use of 'hustler' introduces a subjective, potentially derogatory characterization from a source, which is reported without sufficient distancing.

"He’s a real hustler."

✕ Appeal To Emotion: The customer’s statement 'horrified to see' and 'left with nothing' conveys strong emotion, which is relevant but not counterbalanced with institutional or regulatory response.

"I hope these people don't end up like me .... left with nothing but a useless contract."

✕ Editorializing: The phrase 'It’s not to say VisionWalk couldn't work' subtly endorses skepticism, inserting narrative judgment into reporting.

"It’s not to say VisionWalk couldn't work, but when you owe people money you need to put your arse in your seat and go to work and actually pay those people back - not start various other businesses."

✓ Proper Attribution: Key claims are directly attributed to documents, named individuals, or correspondence, enhancing transparency.

"Stuff has seen correspondence showing that as recently as late February, Macfarlane was seeking investment in a company called VisionWalk Studio."

✓ Comprehensive Sourcing: The article includes the subject’s past statements, investor concerns, customer testimony, and a shareholder comment, offering multiple stakeholder perspectives.

"Southland man Bradley Diack, who is listed on the Companies Office as holding 10% of the shares in VisionWalk Studio, said the company was “still going” and he was happy with it, but he had no other comment."

✕ Vague Attribution: The anonymous businessman and 'some former customers' lack specificity, weakening accountability for critical claims.

"One businessman who was approached by Macfarlane, who spoke on the condition of anonymity..."

✕ Omission: The article does not clarify whether seeking new investment while insolvent violates insolvency laws or fiduciary duties, which is critical legal context.

✕ Cherry Picking: The growth forecast is reported at maximum values without probabilistic or realistic assessment, potentially overstating viability.

"Growth forecasts had revenue going from a maximum of $2m in the first year to a maximum of $7m by year three."

✕ Misleading Context: Macfarlane’s statement that the Facebook post was about third-party investment to meet creditor obligations is included but not explored further, leaving ambiguity unresolved.

"Macfarlane said in a statement at the time that the post “related to exploring potential third party investment as a means of completing a live project and improving the company’s overall position, including its ability to meet creditor obligations”."