A protester filmed throwing bricks during the demonstration violence in Wellington earlier this month has been identified as a former Northland teacher against COVID vaccine mandates.
Protesters camped outside Parliament for 23 days until March 2 pushing for a removal of vaccine mandates and COVID restrictions - until police worked to clear the occupation. It resulted in clashes between officers and demonstrators on the Beehive's grounds which then spilled onto the surrounding streets.
In one incident captured by a TVNZ camera, a man is seen hurling bricks amid the chaos on the streets. The Northland Age has identified the man as Billy-James Natanahira, who used to teach te reo Māori and art at Kaitaia's Abundant Life School.
Other videos posted on social media showed Natanahira and Mark Tan, the principal of the school currently on a leave of absence, in attendance at the protest. In one of the videos, Natanahira confessed to heaving bricks at police officers, the Age reported.
He told the newspaper he instantly regretted his decision to throw bricks.
"I'm gutted, especially for my own family who've had to bear all this for my moment of madness," Natanhira told the Age.
Throughout the day of violence, videos captured demonstrators hurling bricks and bottles and police officers being sprayed with fire extinguishers.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, National Party leader Christopher Luxon and many other leaders condemned the protesters' behaviour that led to fires breaking out on Parliament's grounds.
More than 100 people were arrested in connection with the riot.
