Kerre Woodham: Hone like a bear with a sore head

Hone Harawira, protester not politician. Photo / Northern Advocate

Hone Harawira reminds me of the old polar bear that went quietly mad at Auckland Zoo.

The poor thing was constantly pacing and no doubt wondering how the hell he'd ended up where he was - miles away from his natural habitat.

Hone won't like the analogy - polar bears are white and we know how Hone feels about all things white. He probably puts chocolate milk in his tea.

But nonetheless, Hone's natural state is to stir. To rark things up and get people mobilised.

Sitting in a suit in Wellington, playing nice with the MPs from other parties, having to endure caucus meetings where the other members of the Maori Party compromise and concede and revise must be anathema to a firebrand like Hone.

He was able to get away with foul language and swanning off on a tiki tour to Paris when he was supposed to be on official duties and the harsh remarks about Pakeha were fobbed off, but now he's brassed off members of his own party and he's been asked by his caucus to please explain.

The hui's been put off until later in the week, and hui seldom happen quickly so Hone's future's up in the air in the meantime.

But if he's honest with himself, he'll realise the only place for protesters at Parliament is outside the gates, not on the inside.