Marlene J Bennetts

Marlene Joan Bennetts (; born 9 March 1938) is a New Zealand poet and children's author.

Life and career Bennetts was born in Westport on 9 March 1938. She is of Ngāti Awa and Te Āti Awa descent. 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.

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).

In 2022 Bennetts published her autobiography, Whakaaetanga/Acceptance. One of the Dambusters, illustrated by Trish Bowles (Penguin Group, 2008) A Statute of Honour, illustrated by Ann McCaw (Emjay Publishing, 2020)

Other works Whakaaetanga/Acceptance (autobiography, Emjay Publishing, 2022)