Congratulations to Tā Pita Sharples who has been recognised at the 2024 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Icon Whakamana Hiranga for Kapa Haka, mau rākau.
Established in 2003, the Icon Awards Whakamana Hiranga are the Arts Foundation’s highest honour, recognising the remarkable impact each artist has had on their practice, community, and the cultural landscape of Aotearoa. This year marks a total of 46 artists honoured as Icon Whakamana Hiranga – 20 are living, while 26 have passed on.
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.
“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.
At a ceremony at Government House in Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara on Wednesday 4 December, Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Co-Chair Chelsea Winstanley ONZM said: “We celebrate the boldness and brilliance of Aotearoa New Zealand’s artists. These Icon Whakamana Hiranga are our truth-tellers, futurists, and storytellers. With only 46 Icons ever named, this honour reflects the profound impact of these two preeminent artists. We are privileged to welcome Tā Pita Sharples KNZM CBE and Neil Finn OBE (also recognised) into this distinguished circle.”
“It makes me proud!” says recipient Tā Pita Sharples. “Any artistry I've done was from my emotions. My concept of Māori performing arts and traditional Māori weaponry. One can only hope to watch it flourish and inspire for all generations to come."
Each Icon Whakamana Hiranga receives a bronze medallion set with pounamu and a pin designed by sculptor John Edgar. The pin is given to the recipient, while the medallion passes on to a future Icon at the time of their death.
John Edgar explained: “I chose bronze for the medallions for its rich colour, strength, and historical association with medals and coinage. Each medallion has its own unmistakable character through the pounamu at the centre. New Zealand nephrite jade is an iconic stone in our culture – our most treasured resource – and it’s a unique stone for a unique artist.”
Top Photo: Tā Pita Sharples KNZM CBE, Whirimako Black MNZM, and Tā Pita's son Paora Sharples.
Group Photo: General Manager / Kaiwhakahaere Jessica Palalagi, Paora Sharples, His Excellency Dr Richard Davies, 2024 Icon Whakamana Hiranga Sir Dr Tā Pita Sharples, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, Co-Chair Chelsea Winstanley, Trustee Hamish Edgar, Co-Chair Kent Gardner, Kaumātua (and Te Matatini Life Member) Joe Harawira.