Dr Pita Sharples named Communicator of the Year

Dr Pita Sharples named Communicator of the Year by Public Relations Institute

The Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) today named Maori Party Co-leader Dr Pita Sharples as Communicator of the Year 2007.

The award, which was reinstated this year after a 10 year lapse, recognises excellence in personal communication skills, and also a sector leader who espouses open and honest communications within his or her organisation. Previous winners have included Dame Catherine Tizard, Alan Duff and the late Sir Peter Blake.

Dr Sharples was selected by vote by the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Institute. The initial list of nominations was developed from submissions open to all members of the institute and included business leaders, high profile spokespeople and politicians.

In announcing the Award, outgoing PRINZ President, Lisa Finucane, said that Dr Sharples, who is renowned for his honest and direct communication style, encapsulated the qualities the Institute wanted to recognise.

"As well as honouring an outstanding communicator, the Public Relations Institute was looking for an award recipient who reflected the communication values that PRINZ and our PR practitioner members aspire to. These include honesty, two way communications hearing as well as telling and, while acting as advocate for a particular group or organisation, always bearing in mind the greater public good," she said.

"Certainly Dr Sharples has made a huge contribution to increased understanding of Maori issues amongst non-Maori but importantly he challenges both communities to shun rhetoric in favour of hard solutions and effective dialogue."

The original nomination also noted Dr Sharples' outstanding ability to communicate with dignity, passion and determination, both in Parliament and outside to the wider community. He was a man unafraid to speak out about his past and address the most challenging issues, the nomination stated.

"As a speaker he combines the best elements of European and Maori oratory, and tells a great story. As a politician he has surprised seasoned observers with his ability to reach to the heart of an issue, to bridge divides and make contrary views seem reasonable."

Dr Sharples comes from the tribe of Ngati Kahungunu of Hawkes Bay, his sub tribes are Ngai Te Kikiri o te Rangi and Ngti Pahauwera. He has had a distinguished career in education, founding the first kura kaupapa Maori in the country at Hoani Waititi Marae in 1985, and later developed the first whare kura (secondary school) for graduates of kura kaupapa.

Among other important positions, Dr Sharples pioneered the development of the Race Relations office in NZ and was appointed the inaugural Chief Executive Officer from 1972-1980.

He is co-leader for the Maori Party and was elected to Parliament in 2005 as the Member of Parliament for Tamaki-Makaurau.

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