Trevor Arthur Usbourne Benner

Born at Maketu on the 24 August 1886, Trevor was the thirds child of Albert Benner (1854-1934) and Martha Lavinia Munro (1861-1939).

Trevor married Helen Phillips (1887-1983) in Nelson in 1914. Helen was the brother of Jack Phillips who moved to Pongakawa after purchasing a farm on Maniatutu Rd.

Trevor and Helen had three children, Judith Katherine (1915-2001), Vernon Albert Trevor (1917-2002), and Trevor Burdett (1930-2007).

Trevor farmed the property at the junction of Old Coach Road and Maniatutu Road, originally purchased by his father, and also the Phillips family. He also purchased the property further up Maniatutu Rd, but lost that during the Depression around 1932 when he went bankrupt. At that time the other properties were still owned by his father and wife, so they were not lost. vernon re-purchased the property upon his return from service overseas during WWII using his "Rehab Loan".


Around 1960 he suffered a stroke and was hospitalised. He died the following year on 16 June 1961, and is buried alongside Helen at the old Te Puke Cemetery.