Mark Richardson says he's learnt an important lesson in his first year as a presenter on The AM Show.
The former Blackcap says while he's always been opinionated and willing to have a debate on issues close to his heart, he's now learnt to be tolerant of others' views.
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Speaking on the final show on Friday morning, Richardson spoke about his learnings, and admitted he's now got a soft spot for left-leaning politicians despite being staunchly right-wing himself.
"This is a gig in which we trade an opinion, and I've done a lot of trading in that currency - however, I've learnt one really important lesson this year, and that's that one's opinion doesn't define them as a person," he said.
"Even my sworn enemies are not bad people. Phil Twyford wants to wipe millions off my property portfolio - not a bad bloke; Jacinda [Ardern] will eventually tax me into oblivion, but how can you not like her; Winston [Peters] - well, he could probably harden up a little bit.
"But in reality our opinions sit left or right and people make aspersions far greater than they actually reach. So tolerance is what I've learned this year, and I think people have given me an opportunity to learn that."
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Duncan Garner said he's "loved" working with and getting to know Richardson through The AM Show, and thanked him for the fun he brought.
Richardson will return with the rest of The AM Show presenters on January 15, 2018.
Newshub.
