Pita Sharples has been a leader for many years, but until five years ago he could not imagine himself as a politician.
Dr Sharples has been one of the leading figures in Maori education and Maori culture for decades. But it wasn't until Labour passed the Foreshore and Seabed Act in 2004 that he was persuaded to enter politics.
Now, as co-leader of the Maori Party, he has successfully contested two elections, helped established the party as a viable force in parliament, and successfully negotiated a deal which sees him and co-leader Tariana Turia take on several ministerial responsibilities.
What's more, the deal has been done with National - a party that began its climb back to popularity in 2004 following a speech by ex-leader Don Brash which left many Maori feeling aggrieved.
"I don't know a thing about politics, and I don't know how I got here actually," Sharples said at an early Maori Party rally in 2004.
"I'm told I have to buy a suit. I gotta get a white shirt too, and a tie!"
Born Peter Russell Sharples 64 years ago in Waipawa, Hawke's Bay, Sharples grew up poor.
He says he was hit by his father in his early years for speaking Maori, but after failing school certificate he transferred to Te Aute College and became immersed in Maori culture. From there he went to Auckland University, and after earning a Bachelor of Arts and a teaching diploma he quickly became involved in Maori education.
Sharples has been heavily involved in kohanga reo (Maori pre-schools) and kura kaupapa (Maori language primary and secondary schools), and has had numerous jobs in education.
But he also became a major player in Maori community networks. He helped establish the urban marae Hoani Waititi in west Auckland, worked with troubled youth, in prisons and with gangs, and worked with iwi in Auckland and Hawke's Bay.
After being elected to parliament he has impressed many, combining passionate advocacy with respectful behaviour and good humour. The vast majority of MPs, from all sides of the political fence, feel he is someone they can talk to.
Even though his party does not seem like a natural fit with National to many, Sharples' ability as a networker and negotiator with a wide variety of people means there was always a prospect of finding a way to work with National Party leader John Key.
Probably the most important thing Sharples now has to deliver is the gains he says Maori people would want should his party be involved in some way with the government.
With new jobs as Minister of Maori Affairs, Associate Minister of Education and Associate Minister of Corrections he has a chance to produce them.
Co-leader Tariana Turia has signalled that she hopes to hand
over her responsibility soon before bowing out from parliament at
the next election, saying she intends to spend more time with her
family.
The party's success at the next election will now largely depend on
what Sharples can deliver.
