He was taken from his parents aged 3, but it was his ability to improve his situation that made the difference, says New Zealand First's Wairarapa candidate Ron Mark.
"I built myself from nothing," he said.
The former state ward's comments were in response to being asked about the Green Party's proposal to relieve poverty in New Zealand through a universal income, financed by a new tax on wealth.
Currently a Cabinet Minister, Mark said he doubted taxing one group to alleviate ills in another was a solution because "education is key".