Crips in cars is a social experiment that celebrates differences we chuck two
complete strangers in a car and watch them connect through the simple act of
conversation. Paula Bennett has arrived
Ok, so I have received my instructions. I'm picking up Hunter. And I love that
name by the way because I have a gorgeous grandchild called Hunter and
I'm heading to EB Games to find him. So I know nothing about him, I've got no idea
what his interests are. Do I surmise that he likes games I was gonna call them video
games. So it sort of shows my age a bit doesn't it. I don't think they do video
games anymore. I've got a stepson. So I can probably try but with the lingo you
know. I can get down with my bad self with the youth of today yeah that's yep
I just said that my kids will never talk to me again if that goes live. I'm presuming
he's got some kind of disability and then I don't know about you but I just
get in that whole, do you talk to them about having a disability - do you not?
And then I think gosh they must get sick of talking about it.
And I'm having a conversation to myself at the moment. I obviously need some
company. I wonder if he's got strong opinions on politics. A lot of younger
people don't really give a damn so we'll see. So nearly there
I'm like I think I'm getting close to the destination. Ah, Hunter, hello how are you? Oh
I'm fine thank you are you a bit surprised?I was ...I didn't... what vehicle is this?
I know, it's pretty cool isn't it. But I don't want to get in trouble with the
traffic do we? Make sure you put the seatbelt on.
Safety first Safety first, safety first
Wowza see yowza this thing
is completely tagged out.
I know, it's very cool eh. I'm Paula Bennet and you are?
I'm Hunter
Hunter, I have a grandson called Hunter Oh you don't say?
Yeah! Have you been at eb games? Oh yeah
Of course I have. Im just a good gamer. I just got a good game from there.
You might say it's solid gold.
Oh really
Literally so it's a retro one. It's called Sonic mania. It's package is glazing like gold.
Was Sonic Blue? Yeah!
We love Blue! So you love gaming?
That's common sense of course I do! Well I don't .....
I don't even know much about gaming...
Can I ask how old you are? Um 26.
26! It'll be my birthday soon,
So so I'll eventually become 27. Oh well I... I'm 49.
Yikes! I know, I know there's no need for the yikes, I'm nearing that 50.
I always having trouble with the car, they are just helping me.
Oh I know this lady. Yeah, how are you darling?Are you good?
So I'm sorry I just couldn't work out - What are you doing now?
I'm still in politics
Politics? Yeah, I'm a politician
Oh is that so? So I used to be the Deputy Prime Minister
Oh... Of New Zealand.
The deputy Prime Minister?
I did. At one point I thought I would be riding with a celebrity.
But a Deputy Prime Minister?
I did not see that one coming... such an honor this is.
Yeah now I'm the deputy
leader of the National Party
Ooh And from that to an uber driver
I tell you New Zealand's a great place for opportunities
Of course - now that Jacinda Adern's in charge.
That's right. There is nothing us women can't do.
And they and they say males are superior to females - no offense.
Yeah what do you think about that? I think we're even
Yeah are you interested in politics at all?
Well it would be a thrill to want to
govern an entire country. But otherwise it would prove much of a challenge.
So it would have to have a lot of thought put into it.
Yeah
He had his own individual style as own individual language and I just think
he's an interesting guy and let's what struck me immediately
So tell me something else about yourself? I am autistic myself
You are autistic yourself?
So what does that mean? Tell me something about that...
Well, you heard the old saying, always think inside the box?
Yeah. You see we, austy don't.
In fact!
We don't even have a box to think inside of at all
Yeah?
Our minds are all over the place. That's what makes us so special.
And interesting Mm-hmm
Yeah? Yeah but I've heard about autism being some sort of disability
Who cooked up that?
So you're so you don't consider it a disability?
No I consider it a strength.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Time seems to slip away from me and that makes me a little anxious.
And so is anxiety one of the effects of being autistic?
You might say so
What my mother's out and she is late out, I tend to wonder where she has been.
Yeah yeah
And if she will come back
So like for me I don't sleep well if I've got big things happening and my
brains racing, I'm thinking like three or four steps ahead kind of stuff and so is
that similar to sometimes how you feel?
In some sense, yeah.
Yeah I can relate to that I think
So are you very creative? Or is that a generalization?
Of course I'm creative! I really like you I love it
Oh is that so? Yeah I think you're pretty cool.
So tell me what the best thing about being autistic is?
I have a photographic memory
Like on the movies? Like you remember everything
you've read and seen?
Yup
No way!?
And I visualize it before my eyes
So if that's the best thing thing about having autism then what's the worst?
Oh I don't see a downside to all this
I love that
Well I love individuality and I love people that are a little
different and I think the world would be a boring place if we were all the same
Coz you're deputy prime minister what achievements did you make?
I have done a lot in my life, Hunter
Quite a lot. But I've been in politics now for 13 years
13! Yeah and I'm a mom and I was a very young Mum
I used to be on a benefit and everything
And then I decided to change my life and I went to university and
then I got into politics
Oh is that so? Yeah and I'm proud of the achievements
I have made. Good on you!
My diploma of digital creativity, which was a one-year course
Yes
And and also, I was a Bachelorof Creative Technologies - a three year course -
Ahhh And boy was it's a challenge
Okay so coming up is Jacinda Adern's office.
We're heading through her electorate No way?
There it is there. Give her a wave Hi!
So it looks like we're nearly here, we're in St Lukes.
I do like doing like puns you know?
Do you like puns?
Let me put this way - when you enter a float tank and
experience weightlessness in there you could say it's worth the wait.
I'm going to to take you to the entrance. You're getting the five-star treatment.
I've just loved doing it. I've loved meeting Hunter I feel like I know a bit
more about autism now and I feel like I've met this wonderful personality and
there's just this really interesting young guy
It was really nice to meet you
Of course!
We did - we got along very well I have her cards just like that like two worlds
colliding me having a talk with a politician it made me feel like an
actual VIP
Can I have a hug? See ya, Hunter