Marlene J Bennetts
New Zealand writer (born 1938)
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Life and career
Bennetts was born in Westport on 9 March 1938.[1] She is of Ngāti Awa and Te Āti Awa descent.[2][3] As a child her family travelled frequently due to her father's work in sawmills, and she attended 15 different schools. In 1957 she married Neville (Hec) Bennetts; they have three children.[3][4]
Her poetry has been published in various anthologies including Katherine Mansfield Centennial Issue (1998), Poetry Kanto (1989), Poets for Africa (1986), and The President's Awards for Literary Excellence (1995).[2] In 1993 the British magazine Dandelion awarded her the Dolores Boccanera Poetry Prize for her poem "Needlepoint Love".[2][3]
She has written a number of works for children, including eleven books which have been translated into te reo Māori and a collection of poetry, Caboodle (2005).[2] She participates in Read NZ Te Pou Muramura's Writers in Schools programme.[2]
In the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours, Bennetts was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to literature.[5]
In 2022 Bennetts published her autobiography, Whakaaetanga/Acceptance.[4] She donated 95% of the profits from the work to Hei Whakapiki Mauri, an organisation supporting Māori with disabilities.[4]
Selected works
Poetry collections
Works for children
Other works
- Whakaaetanga/Acceptance (autobiography, Emjay Publishing, 2022)[4]