Second eldest of 19 children, Sir Charles Moihi Te Arawka Bennett began his career as a teacher and South Island Māori rugby representative. He was recruited as an announcer for the New Zealand Broadcasting Service and just a year later, enlisted at the outbreak of war in 1939. Fighting in Greece and Crete, he led an intelligence unit responsible for reconnaissance, often speaking in te reo Māori to prevent enemy interception. From 1959 to 1963, Sir Charles became New Zealand’s 2nd high commissioner to Malaya and was the Labour Party president from 1972 to 1976, living a life of valuable public service.
Photo credit: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections: Accession 1327