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Youth parliament > Press gallery > Razor Sharp advice from Dr Sharples by Danielle Duffield
Razor Sharp advice from Dr Sharples by Danielle Duffield
Think your life story is hot? You should hear Pita Sharples! The co-leader of the Maori party shared his somewhat peculiar life story with the youth MPs on Tuesday, as well as providing them with some valuable advice.
 By Danielle Duffield
See, he really only got into politics “by accident.” While he knew he
was a leader at five – he was the only one who knew how to keep the
beat in Kapa Haka – given the way his childhood panned out, no one
thought he’d end up in the Beehive. After all, he did fail school
certificate. (In saying that though - his community DID throw a party
for him for ‘nearly gaining it.’) His school was left with two options
– to expel him – or to make him a prefect. The school chose the
latter.
His degree took him six years instead of three, but no worries there –
his son took eight years! In the end, he even managed to obtain a
Doctorate. After turning down four invitations from
political parties to join, in 2004 he formed the Maori party with
Tariana Turia.
And as for his advice? Well, he thinks that while many politicians
“walk on mars”, that it’s good to keep it real. Keep at your
goals, and discover your dreams, says Sharples. But most
importantly – “walk your talk.”
Think your life story is hot? You should hear Pita Sharples! The
co-leader of the Maori party shared his somewhat peculiar life story
with the youth MPs on Tuesday, as well as providing them with some
valuable advice.
See, he really only got into politics “by accident.” While he knew he
was a leader at five – he was the only one who knew how to keep the
beat in Kapa Haka – given the way his childhood panned out, no one
thought he’d end up in the Beehive. After all, he did fail school
certificate. (In saying that though - his community DID throw a party
for him for ‘nearly gaining it.’) His school was left with two options
– to expel him – or to make him a prefect. The school chose the
latter.
His degree took him six years instead of three, but no worries there –
his son took eight years! In the end, he even managed to obtain a
Doctorate. After turning down four invitations from
political parties to join, in 2004 he formed the Maori party with
Tariana Turia.
And as for his advice? Well, he thinks that while many politicians
“walk on mars”, that it’s good to keep it real. Keep at your
goals, and discover your dreams, says Sharples. But most
importantly – “walk your talk.”
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