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

Bennetts 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]