Sir Pita Russell Sharples (born Peter Russell Sharples, 20 July 1941) is a New Zealand MÃÂori academic and politician, who was a co-leader of the MÃÂori Party from 2004 to 2013, and a minister outside Cabinet in the National Party-led government from 2008 to 2014. He was the member of Parliament for the TÃÂmaki Makaurau electorate in Auckland from 2005 to 2014. He stepped down as co-leader of the MÃÂori Party in July 2013.
Sharples was born in Waipawa, a town in Hawke's Bay. His mother Ruiha was of NgÃÂti Kahungunu, and his father Paul was a shearer and a second generation New Zealander whose family came from Bolton, United Kingdom.
He received his early education at Waipukurau District High School, but then became a boarder at Te Aute College. His four years there culminated in his becoming head boy, and he credits this time as a turning point of his life. He then attended the University of Auckland, studying education. After graduating, he remained at the university as an instructor, working at the Faculty of Education. He subsequently gained an MA (1st class) in anthropology, and later a PhD in anthropology and linguistics â both also from the University of Auckland.
Sharples strongly opposed the construction of Auckland Thermal No. 1, a gas-fired power plant proposed for Te Atatà « Peninsula. In 1973, the Third Labour Government of New Zealand abandoned plans for the plant after widespread opposition. During this period, Sharples was inspired to become more politically active, and soon after the scheme was abandoned he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Norman Kirk, explaining his reasons for opposing the plant.
In 1984 Sharples led the kapa haka at the pà Âwhiri (opening ceremony) of the Te Maori exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
In addition to his academic work, Sharples has long advocated a separate MÃÂori political party. After the foreshore and seabed controversy in 2003âÂÂ2004, Sharples joined forces with Tariana Turia a former minister in the Labour Party government who resigned over the issue. Turia and Sharples organised a new party based around Turia's Te Tai HauÃÂuru seat which was launched on 7 July 2004 as the MÃÂori Party with Sharples as co-leader.
In the 2005 general election Sharples contested and won the urban Auckland seat of Tamaki Makaurau displacing former Labour MP John Tamihere.
In the 2008 general election Sharples was re-elected with a majority of more than 7000. The National Party won more seats overall and formed a minority government with support from the MÃÂori Party, ACT New Zealand and United Future. Sharples was appointed as Minister of MÃÂori Affairs, although like other support party members he remained outside Cabinet. Sharples was returned to parliament in the 2011 general election, and retained the MÃÂori Affairs portfolio. He resigned as co-leader of the MÃÂori Party in July 2013, and retired from Parliament at the .
Sharples was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the MÃÂori people, in the 1990 Queen's Birthday Honours. In the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as a Member of Parliament and to MÃÂori.
His other awards include:
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