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When Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt made a right-royal ruckus about tertiary funding cuts at the end of last year, his impulsive outbursts surprised few.
It was the return of the young stirrer, albeit in his establishment mayoral chains. In his activist days, Shadbolt was the quintessential student leader
- loud, fearless, and great copy for the papers.
Students had a lot more freedom then, says Shadbolt. "There was absolute job security and no student debt. Our three-bedroom flat cost $12 a week. [But] when you fight for a cause, you learn to communicate and mix with intelligent, aware young people. The fact that many of today's political leaders were protesters during their youth says quite a lot."
In the 60s, 70s and 80s, students were spurred to action by events such as the Vietnam War, Springbok tour and Rainbow Warrior bombing. These days, it's rare to see young people on the streets, clutching placards and loudhailers or chanting protest slogans. Is it that modern youth haven't been confronted or threatened by social issues, and have little incentive to fight for a cause? Or are they too timid to speak out?
"That's not the case - youth activism is not dead," says 20-year-old Auckland student Cameron Walker, who has led local campaigns on foreign issues such as the Burmese conflict, Sri Lankan civil war and West Papuan human rights. Walker was arrested at a union protest outside McDonald's on Auckland's Queen St after police saw him taking photos of them. The charges were dropped, but Walker says the fracas shows that peaceful activism can still seem threatening.
"The media only show protests where people push and shove with cops and end up getting dragged away," he says. "Activists are portrayed as violent and hostile. The Urewera raids came as a real shock - I was absolutely freaked out. But young people are finding other ways to speak out. Online independent media is strong, and so are community-based campaigns."
Walker believes police conduct surveillance on street demonstrations organised by action groups. He claims to have seen police photographers documenting evidence on young protesters. But Senior Sergeant Matt Rogers says police are there only to "facilitate order". Rogers was not able to comment on Walker's arrest.
Students seem to have less time on their hands now, with many working part-time to fund their studies. But some causes have motivated youth to campaign. The Iraq war sparked protest in the main centres. Supersize My Pay, a movement against low wages for teens, also led to demonstrations. Recently, youth picketed the Japanese embassy in Wellington over illegal whaling. But these are international issues - there is less public action about concerns in our own backyard.
That's something that Youth Organised and United wants to change. The group formed last year with a grant from the JR McKenzie Trust. It hopes to grow membership and become a lobby group that is consulted by decision-makers and media. Ultimately, says president Ricky Malcolm, it will raise young people's political involvement and awareness.
Many youth have become apathetic about politics, says Malcolm. "The decision-makers want to hear our voices, but we need to speak up. Our group has had a positive response, although there have been a few sceptics. We're on a blitz, building positive relationships by getting to the grassroots of society through schools and universities."
In December, the union's executive committee embarked on a whistle-stop tour of Wellington. Within two days, they held one-on-one meetings with eight politicians. Nicky Wagner's enthusiasm was "amazing", Malcolm says. Katherine Rich "thought the [group] was interesting", Darren Hughes "was supportive", Ron Mark "was initially quite cautious", Michael Cullen "listened intently", Peter Dunne "welcomed input" and Sue Bradford "was of great value".
The group is determined to become an independent voice. Already, however, the group says it has been offered media training from the Children's Commissioner, a free website from National's youth liaison officer Nicky Wagner, and the use of Hone Harawira's office. Malcolm has declined some offers, and says any resources accepted won't lead to bias.
"Our commitment to Youth Organised and United was to see that they were able to set up as an effective, non-partisan voice," says Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro, who says she provided support, but not funds. "They can advocate and speak out on issues that youth see as important, rather than reacting to an agenda shaped by adults."
Youth Organised and United is lobbying to get its message across, but other groups are more blunt. Radical Youth is an anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist team that meets regularly in Auckland. It has protested on issues such as climate change and campaigned to Save Happy Valley from a Solid Energy coal mine. It was also behind the high-profile high school walk-outs over youth wages.
But staging big demonstrations and protests isn't the style of this generation, points out Niki Harre, a senior lecturer in psychology at Auckland University.
"With issues like climate change and globalisation, there are no clear sides, so how can you protest? You would be protesting about your own habits. So activism is gradually adapting. Internet activism is growing. Youth also take a stand by improving their purchasing habits."
In February, the Council of Trade Unions ran a young union activists boot camp in Kaitoke, north of Wellington. It was part of the council's Stand Up Youth Union Movement, focusing on activist development and involvement in union campaigns. It was free and transport was provided for young activists.
Nongovernmental organisations are also fostering activism. Amnesty International offers youth campaign activism internships of three to six months. The organisation says it does not believe it is inappropriate to develop young activists.
Activism has its extreme elements, but Amnesty believes moderate activism can empower young people with a sense of community, identity and social conscience.
"I don't think it's inappropriate for organisations or councils to train youth in activism," says Harre.
"After all, powerful industries like the tobacco industry train and pay people to lobby on their behalf.
"We're in a democracy. Why shouldn't other groups train youth to take part in the political process, and speak out on social and economic issues? It's their right."
