11 Facts About Ben Couch

Ben Couch was a team-member of the All Blacks and the New Zealand Maori rugby union team in the 1940s.

Ben Couch was raised by his maternal grandmother in Christchurch until the age of eight, when he was sent to live with his maternal uncle near Pirinoa in rural Wairarapa.

Ben Couch was educated at Otaki Maori College, and then, from 1940 to 1942, Christchurch Technical College.

In 1945, Ben Couch returned to Pirinoa to work as a builder, and in 1947 he married Bessie Carter, his childhood sweetheart.

Carter was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Ben Couch converted to that faith in 1949.

Ben Couch was selected as one of the 5 promising players of the year for the 1945 season in the Rugby Almananac of New Zealand.

Ben Couch was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1947 to 1949.

Ben Couch played seven matches for the All Blacks including three internationals.

Ben Couch served as Minister of Maori Affairs and Minister of Police in the third National Government, but lost his seat in 1984 to Labour's Reg Boorman.

Ben Couch created some controversy by wearing a Springbok rugby team blazer at the time of their 1981 tour of New Zealand as well as attending a public meeting organised by the League of Rights.

In 1977, Ben Couch was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, and in 1990 he received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.