We need radicalism and Northland's disabled community needs a Tame Iti of their own, says Jonny Wilkinson.
More and more, I feel I need to take more of a stand. IT'S your core values and belief in the power of your own mind that matter in the end. And I believe that the radicals in our society are critical to pushing forward positive change.
The recent headline in the Northern Advocate: 'Protesters turn up the heat on Statoil' grabbed my attention. Protesters Mike Smith and hapu members upended tables at the hui between Statoil (a multi-national Norwegian oil company) and Te Rarawa rununga.
When I read this I couldn't help myself but admire the passion the protesters had about their principles.
I know this behaviour makes people uncomfortable, but there is a place for a radical element in society to take actions further than normal behaviour and make their stance heard. My mind goes back to the '80s, to John Minto who was vilified by much of the New Zealand population. Nowadays we look back on the Springbok tour protest and realise the important role he played in world history and how he contributed to the fight to end apartheid in South Africa.