By AINSLEY THOMSON
Bertha Evans' mother lived until she was 95, as did sister Florence, while another sister, Charlotte, lived into her late 80s.
But Mrs Evans has outdone them all - yesterday she turned 107.
The Department of Internal Affairs believes Mrs Evans is New Zealand's oldest person.
She keeps good
health and takes no medication. Her only disability is that she has lost her hearing.
Her great-niece, Judith Cook, puts her long life and good health down to the fact that she eats well and has led a stress-free life.
"She was a home science teacher so she has always eaten the best food. I'm sure if she was young now she would be into organics," Mrs Cook said.
Mrs Evans celebrated her birthday with family members and fellow residents of St Andrew's Home and Hospital in Glendowie. She was surrounded by telegrams and cards, including from the Queen and the Prime Minister.
The fourth of five children, she was born on December 12, 1894, in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.
Her family moved to New Zealand when she was 13, settling in Napier.
She spent most of her working life as a home science teacher at Hawera High School. She married Ernest Evans, who managed a Bank of New South Wales branch.
The couple did not have any children and her family joke that this may be why she has had such a stress-free life.
On retiring, the couple moved to Northcote in Auckland. After her husband died, Mrs Evans lived at Mission Bay until 100 and then moved to the resthome.
Her brother, Norman, nicknamed her the duchess as she loved to entertain people.
Her love of fine food has not diminished with age, her favourites being chocolate-dipped strawberries and figs.
Yesterday, she was eager to get a big slice of chocolate cake.
