AM Show host Duncan Garner has opened up about bullying, revealing after experiencing torment as a victim in form two at intermediate school he went on to turn the tables on his oppressors in high school.
Duncan candidly revealed how being bullied in year eight "really impacted" him, stripping the broadcaster of any confidence before he went on to secondary education.
He recalls being targeted by two students, Kevin and Daniel, citing: "I thought they were tough guys, two of them on one," Duncan said.
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"They dragged me home one day in a headlock, I had red all around my neck, mum and dad were furious. I said, 'just leave it alone, don’t do anything about it'."
He spiralled downward when he got glandular fever and was seriously affected, not attending school for about two months.
"Ate badly, introverted, for me, introverted, I’m an extrovert, it really impacted me, I lost my confidence and it changed me," he said.
"Then I went to college after that and I had lost my confidence, I had lost something, my mojo, because of it. It really impacted me."
Duncan explained he saw Kevin recently but was bigger than bringing up their past negative interactions, seeing him today as "a wimp of a guy".
Duncan was visibly emotional to divulge that Daniel went on to take his own life a number of years later.
"There was so much going on in his life," he said.
Admitting that he did things he’s not proud of later on, Duncan said he thinks he became a bully in high school.
"I targeted some of the bullies themselves, to bully the bullies. And did things I am probably not proud of, but realised it, owned it, knew it."
The former 3 News political editor told Newshub more recently he has faced the devastation of bullying as a parent.
Duncan said he has seen his son get punched in the face, and his daughter had to move schools because she was targeted by a group of kids, which Duncan whole-heartedly condemns.
"Even when I hear the word it is a corrosive thing, it is toxic, it gets inside you and it changes you.
"You become smaller, you become introverted, you’re paralysed by yourself because of somebody else’s behaviour that is affecting you, so don’t do it."
Duncan revealed he occasionally hears from a former classmate who believes he helped him out during their days at school.
"I often get an email from a guy, who says to me, 'hey thanks for stopping that guy who was beating me up and bullying me Duncan at Birkenhead Primary,'" he said.
"I don’t even remember but if I did, I’m kind of proud of myself that I did that."
Where to find help and support:
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Stand Strong NZ is a series exploring the issues around bullying and what's being done to reduce the harm.
Newshub.
