Nicola Young: More respect for New Zealand's activists

Labels - sometimes useful, say on delicate laundry items, not so helpful with people.

Is it provocative to label someone an activist? Does it belittle them in the eyes of others? Is being called an activist an insult?

Unfortunately the answer to all those questions is probably yes. Rightly or wrongly, being an activist is associated with being someone who makes a lesser contribution to society. I disagree. Activists are responsible for much of the positive change we value today. Where to start? Suffragettes demanding the vote for women - they were not quiet people, waiting their turn. They were out there protesting on the streets well before it was fashionable.

New Zealand's wonderful nuclear-free reputation - it didn't just happen. People made it important to our political leaders by turning out in numbers, carrying banners and shouting protest slogans.

We did our bit downunder to rally against apartheid in South Africa through the Springbok Tour protests, difficult though they were for the rugby-loving amongst us who wished politics and sport could be separate.

Or in more recent times, when our Government voted almost unanimously in favour of same-sex marriage in New Zealand - recognising the human right of people to choose marriage, regardless of gender. It was largely thanks to activists this change happened.

So in the lead up to the TPP signing in New Zealand next week, when Prime Minister John Key implies those who turn out against the signing are activists with nothing better to do, does he means like those who fought for women to vote, demanded a nuclear-free country, were anti-apartheid, or those who respected the right to marry for love? There's been some commentary that the heavy-handed approach to preparing for anti-TPP protests is overkill and even part of a strategy to shift the focus from concerns around TPP content to a law and order battle. I'm not sure - I'm not one for conspiracies, although with the US style of politics involved, it's hard to rule it out.

What I think is that Key's radar on public opinion is losing its way. I was at the TPP protest march in Whanganui. It was diverse. One older couple stick in my head - probably in their 80s, the woman sat in a chair in the rain while the man held an umbrella over their heads as they listened to the speeches. Those of us concerned about the TPP do not deserve the titles of "the usual suspects" or "rent-a-crowd". We are a wide range of New Zealanders with valid questions around the fishhooks in this global agreement. I'm particularly concerned about the Investor State Dispute Settlement provisions and the implications for action on climate change.

It's time to take back the label activist. Let's wear it with pride - activists are people who care enough about an issue to take a stand and make sure their voice is heard, even when in the minority .

Numbers do make a difference. If you have concerns, join in, be seen, have your say - now is the time to be visible.

And if you are just curious, come down to an event and check out us activists for yourself. You might be surprised who you see there.

-Nicola Young has worked in the government and private sectors in Australia and NZ and now works in Whanganui for a national charitable foundation. Educated at Wanganui Girls' College, she has a science degree and is the mother of two boys.