Marlene Joan Bennetts MNZM (née Anderson; born 9 March 1938) is a New Zealand poet and children's author.
Marlene J Bennetts | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marlene Joan Anderson 9 March 1938 Westport, New Zealand |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse |
Neville Bennetts (m. 1957) |
| Children | 3 |
Life and career
editBennetts 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
editPoetry collections
edit- Return to the Coast (Emjay Publishing, 1990)[2]
- Coastal Cornerstones (Emjay Publishing, 1991)[2]
- Beyond the Coast (Emjay Publishing, 2001)[2]
Works for children
edit- Caboodle, with Deborah Macowan (Emjay Publishing, 2005)[2]
- No Ordinary Flower Girl, illustrated by Trish Bowles (Reed Books, 2007)[6]
- One of the Dambusters, illustrated by Trish Bowles (Penguin Group, 2008)[7]
- A Statute of Honour, illustrated by Ann McCaw (Emjay Publishing, 2020)[8]
Other works
edit- Whakaaetanga/Acceptance (autobiography, Emjay Publishing, 2022)[4]
References
edit- ^ "Interview with Marlene Bennetts". Christchurch City Libraries. 2005. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Marlene J Bennetts". Read NZ Te Pou Muramura. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Marlene Joan Bennetts née Anderson". Komako. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Marlene J. Bennetts: A story of acceptance and overcoming". Hei Whakapiki Mauri. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2003". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Books in brief". The Southland Times. 31 March 2007. p. 7. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Heartland feel to funny yarn". Hawkes Bay Today. 5 April 2008. p. S10. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Vicki (7 March 2020). "Southern Spotlight: Tanya Jenkins - environmental educator". Stuff. Retrieved 13 May 2024.