マヌー・ベネットさんのインスタグラム写真 - (マヌー・ベネットInstagram)「My uncle, Sir Charles Moihi Te Arawaka Bennett was the youngest Battalion Commander of the New Zealand Forces during WW2. He fought in Greece & Crete as member of Lieutenant Colonel George Dittmars' staff then made Commander of the furiously committed 24th Maori Battalion which included Captain Awatere Aparata & Lieutenant Te Moananui-a-kiwa Ngarimu (awarded the Victoria Cross). Together they reversed Hitlers' advances by destroying Field Marshal Erwin Rommels tank divisions in fierce confrontations in the deserts of Tunisia. My uncle suffered severe injury to his leg he stepped into a wire triggered mine & spent 3 years in hospital & despite operations his leg was rendered lame. The NZ Government appointed Charles as assistant controller of Maori Welfare but he took two year absence to attend a scholarship offered by the Oxford University in England, a doctorate on "The problems of cultural adjustment for the Maori people". With conflicting opinions on the matter Charles withdrew from Oxford & returned to New Zealand & was appointed the first Maori Head of Mission & High Commissioner to Malaysia. Despite an outcry by some members of the New Zealand Government, Charles' popularity grew throughout Asia where he became the weekend golfing & poker partner with the Malaysian Prime Minister & made Recipient of Political Confidences. Ending his term, when Malaysia requested Charles be reappointed, the New Zealand Government declined. Returning home Charles made efforts to enter national politics under Labour Government but his run as leader were stifled - it was not yet a Maoris time. For his contributions to WW2 & Maori Welfare Charles was Knighted. Sir Charles retired to live in his ancestral home of Maketu & assisted Ngati Pikioa to prevent the channeling of raw effluence from the city of Rotorua into the Kaituna River. The victory set precedence for keeping waterways of New Zealand clean. Charles Moihi Te Arawaka Bennett died on 6th November 1988, his funeral at Tamatekapua was attended by thousands & promoted NZ Forces to change their emblem from two swords to a sword & taiaha. Kia Kaha! Uncle Charles. So few could achieve so much & inspire so many.」5月24日 19時58分