Rangatira: Sir Charles Bennett

Television (Full Length) – 1998

He tangata rongonui, he tangata e kaingākautia ana. Celebrated leader Sir Charles Bennett is the focus of this episode of Rangatira. Bennett was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Māori Battalion, High Commissioner to Malaya, and Assistant Secretary for Māori Affairs. His life and achievements are recounted through interviews with whānau, friends, and peers. Remembered as a diplomat, strategist, visionary and role model, Bennett was grounded in strong whānau values which shaped a life of service. Later, Reverend Hone Kaa and presenter Derek Fox share their own insights into Bennett and his whānau.

...he was a statesman of the best kind, and I think he reflected that in the way that he worked in Malaysia. He had an affinity for establishing societies that were multicultural in the broader sense, because he bought that Māori-Pākehā heritage and he encouraged actively the Malaysian people to reclaim their mana motuhake . . . [They had] gone through a bit of upheaval after the 1960/1970s riots over there...I mean he brought a sense of calm, but a sense of hope for them as well.
– Annette Sykes on Sir Charles Bennett’s time as NZ High Commissioner for Malaysia