[1] Bennington was born in Hanmer Springs, North Canterbury, on the South Island of New Zealand.
He went on to be the head of both the Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth, Australia, and the Division of Professional Services at the Western Australian Museum.
[4] Bennington joined the Kamin Science Center at the height of the museum's financial and attendance problems.
[4] Bennington became a fixture within Pittsburgh's cultural and artistic communities during his nine-year tenure as director of the museum, and volunteered with the city's theatre and art groups.
[4] Bennington sought to emphasise and redefine Te Papa's strengths to the public during his six years as the museum's head.
The travelling exhibit, featuring Monet's masterpieces, arrived at Te Papa following two years of negotiations with the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.
Bennington noted at the time, "It's the most significant collection of works by Monet that will ever have come to New Zealand or Australia.
"[2] Bennington and a long-time family friend,[2] Marcella Jackson, 54, disappeared while "tramping" (hiking) in the Tararua Range on the North Island of New Zealand on 11 July 2009.
The third kiwi cloak used to cover Bennington's coffin had been used previously to repatriate the remains of New Zealanders who died abroad back to their homeland.