Northland has gained a centenarian

HAPPY: Anthony Raymond Morris celebrated his 100th birthday with 40 or so guests, including his wife of 65 years, Averill Morris.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Anthony Raymond Morris only started using a walking cane last year - not bad for someone who recently turned 100.

It was a modest celebration held at the Jane Mander Retirement Village with 40 or so people attending Mr Morris' 100th birthday on Wednesday - but his grandson, also named Anthony Morris, said that's how he likes it. He didn't even fuss too much over a letter from the Queen.

"He's not one to make a big fuss about anything, he's very humble," said Anthony.

Before moving to the Jane Mander Retirement Village last week, Mr Morris spent his entire life in Opua and Paihia. His grandfather Antonio Morris built the original Opua store in the 1800s and Mr Morris' father John moved it to its present site. Mr Morris also built and ran the Anchorage Motel on the Paihia Waterfront.

Anthony said his grandfather's 100 years of life had been pretty full. He spent four years serving in World War II advancing through Northern Africa, the Middle East and Italy and somehow finding the time to also visit the Pyramids of Giza, Dead Sea and and ancient Roman ruins. "He's got three photo albums filled with photographs from war. He managed to smuggle a camera in and took photos during the war."

Mr Morris married his wife Averill in 1950 and the pair are still together today and have had three children and have multiple grandchildren.

Anthony said his grandfather only started using his walking cane last year and even now he sometimes leaves it behind.

"He decided after he fell over a couple times he might need it but sometimes you'll sit it next to him and he'll walk off without it."