[1] He is best known for writing and directing the critically acclaimed film Bellbird (2019).

Bennett is of Māori descent, of the Ngāti Whakaue, Patuharakeke and Kati Waewae peoples.

His elder brother, Simon, is a psychology lecturer at the university.

[3] As of 2019[update], Hamish was working full-time as a school teacher.

[3] Bellbird won the Jury Grand Prix at the 2021 Antipodean Film Festival in Saint Tropez, France.