Rotorua's Ella Wilson is turning 100 and though she's losing her hearing, she isn't losing her sense of humour.
This Friday marks Mrs Wilson's 100th birthday, which she will celebrate with friends, family and staff from The Gardens Retirement Village in Rotorua and a "much-loved glass of wine".
Mrs Wilson said she was worried and excited about reaching the milestone.
"It's a bit worrying to tell you the truth. At this age, everything starts to go, your hearing, eyesight, and I won't tell you what else. Even your good looks.
"But I'm looking forward to being with my family, a lot of us haven't seen each other in years."
Family members from across New Zealand and Australia will travel to join the birthday celebrations at the Distinction Hotel this weekend. About 70 of them are expected, she said.
During her lifetime, Mrs Wilson raised three children while her late husband served in World War II.
"Life was tough at that time. It was the Great Depression and I had to do many things my husband would have otherwise done, like lifting and chopping great big logs of firewood to keep us warm. It was tough."
Mrs Wilson saw Melville in Hamilton, where she lived for more than 70 years, transform from a rural community where everyone knew everyone to a bustling suburb of about 5000.
"When I first moved there, there was one teacher at the school, now there's a dozen. There was one church, now there's about seven or eight churches.
"It's amazing how things change."
Mrs Wilson said eating good, plain food and getting plenty of exercise were her secrets to a long, healthy life.
Over the years she played tennis and bowls and was involved in drama groups.
She also liked to indulge in a glass of wine or two, she said.
"When I cooked dinner, I would put the vegetables on, pour myself a glass of wine and put my feet up while they boiled. It was always a nice treat. Maybe that's got something to do with it."
Her daughter Joan Murphy said she was grateful her mother was in such good health.
"She's still so sharp and on to it. She's a wonderful mum."
Mrs Wilson has three children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grand children.