Sir Dr Pita Sharples is a prominent Māori cultural leader, educator, and composer. In 1983, he founded Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa (the National School of Ancient Māori Weaponry), reviving the ceremonial and fighting art of mau rākau. In 1968, he established Te Roopū Manutaki, a Māori cultural group based at Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland, which played a crucial role in helping urban Māori stay connected to tikanga Māori and cultural identity. With this roopū, he has won Best Male Leader on multiple occasions, also taking out top honours with Manutaki winning the Nationals in 1976 and 1990. Sir Pita led, performed, choreographed, and composed kapa haka for the group, with several waiata and haka now recognised as classics. He is one of only nine life members of Te Matatini, and he has spent much of his life dedicated to the revival, retention, and normalisation of traditional and contemporary Māori performing arts.

Panel statement: “Tā Pita Sharples is a well-recognised figure across the landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand but his contribution to the art of mau rākau, waiata, kapa haka and other Māori performing arts has been undeniable. His dynamism, influence and impact has already created a long-lasting legacy not only for Māori here in Aotearoa but across the world.” – 2024 Icon Whakamana Hiranga Selection Panel