Kia ora Koro
I am constantly thinking of you and our tūpuna as I produce my mahi. You are a constant source of inspiration and I feel you, nan and our whānau near. I constantly aim to be as upstanding as you and to inspire our children to be great, knowing we are descended from a line of great people such as yourself and that your courage, wisdom and dignity can inspire these traits in ourselves.
Rafi has your plane on his wall and we see it every day, inspiring us to follow our passions and aim high.
Ngā mihi nui Koro

You, Mum and Dad, have been very much on my mind today. 100 years ago the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion returned home. Of course you had already returned due to the injuries you had received in action, but this time of the year, as we get ever closer to ANZAC Day my memories always include you. Forever grateful for the sacrifices our Armed Service personnel have made so we can enjoy life in a Country where we can achieve so much and live in peace.
I know it has not necessarily felt as peaceful because of the dreadful event in Christchurch. However we must honour the memory and sacrifice of our service personnel and their whanau. We owe it to you all to do what we can to help our fellow man, to repel evil, to always do the best we can, to be kind, to be respectful, to be the best human beings we can be. Love you Koro

Shona (daughter of Divinia) and Robyne (daugher of Pearl). visiting the Auckland Museum to view the New Zealand. Army. 1st Maori Contingent. Scroll of the 1st New Zealand Maori Contingent, 1915. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-624. No known copyright restrictions which has our Koro's signature on.
I will post a link to this on the William Rakeipoho & Hirawharawhara page later.
Having alovely day out together and making time to look up some of our whakapapa.

You are amazing Koro, and you are my biggest inspiration for wanting to leave behind something good in this world. I hope that I can make you proud in my lifetime by showing the same degree of courage and bravery that you displayed when you were here. I pray that the same level of boldness that you had will be able to come through in me to help me to stand up for what is right and speak out against injustices, and serve those around me by defending those who need defending and helping those who need help. When I am faced with enemy fire in any fight against evil, I will think of you standing your ground continuing to fire back until the enemy has withdrawn, and I will try and do the same. I am looking forward to seeing you again, with Jesus, at the end of my time and we can share stories again xox PS: Joey says you are Boss ;) Gods people are as bold as lions - Proverbs 28:1

Hello, My name is kelsey, William Bennett is my Great Grandfather from everything i have heard as a child growing up he was a very extraordinary man, i am now following in his and my grandfathers foot steps and have also joined the new zealand army Hello,my name is Jizelle, William Bennett's great great grand-daughter. I didn't get to meet him but he sounds like a really cool man.

Eldest grandchild of this man. He and his wife Hira brought me up in Whanganui and Taihape. Miss you both

Kia ora I am one of so many grandchildren (mokopuna) of our Koro Wiremu Rakeipoho Bennett may he rest in peace forever and ever Amen.

Wiremu Rakeipoho Bennett is my grandfather....Koro... May he rest in eternal peace....God Bless Koro... Arohanui June and all your other mokopuna.

William Rakeipoho Toby Bennett is my Great Grandfather.

Wiremu Rakeipoho is my Grandfather, my Koro. E tōku koroua, tēnei tau mokopuna e tangi hotuhotu nei. Katahi ka panui ngā korero e pā ana ki ngā pakanga e rua. Ka tangi. Nau i haere ki tawahi hei whawhai i ngā whawhai ma matou, ma au tamariki, au mokopuna. E kore e mutu te aroha. Kaati. Hoki wairua atu ra, moe mai, moe mai, okioki ai. Nau nei au Kahurangi