The Hon Dr Pita R Sharples, JP, CBE is a Māori academic and politician, who was a co-leader of the Māori Party from 2004 to 2013, and a Minister outside Cabinet from 2008 to 2014. He was first elected to the House of Representatives as a Māori Party Member of Parliament on 17 September 2005 for the Electorate of Tāmaki Makaurau and was re-elected in the 2008 and 2011 General Elections.

Until recently, he was the Minister for Māori Affairs, Associate Minister of Education and Associate Minister of Corrections.

Dr Sharples holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Anthropology, Master of Arts (Hons) in Anthropology and a Doctorate in Anthropology and Linguistics from the University of Auckland. He has been awarded a CBE for Services to New Zealand in Education and is a proud Te Aute Old Boy.

Pita is affiliated to Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Te Kikiri o te Rangi, Ngāti Pahauwera and lives in Auckland.