Agnes' 106th birthday a no-fuss affair

Agnes Campion received cards from the Queen and the Prime Minister for her 106th birthday yesterday but she doesn't view the milestone as an achievement - "it's just another birthday".

She can no longer walk on her own and her memory isn't that great but Mrs Campion says she is in good health.

"If I had legs to walk on and a memory to talk about I would be alright."

While she was quite chuffed to have received birthday cards from the various dignitaries, Mrs Campion didn't think her birthday was a big deal.

"It's just another birthday."

She had no secrets to living a long and healthy life.

"You have your ups and downs but you can't help that - your downs teach you how to be up."

Mrs Campion put it all down to her faith.

"I'm Christian and I believe in heaven."

Mrs Campion was born in England and in 1965 she moved to Africa to be with her son Frank Campion and his wife Betty.

"I only went [to Africa] as a holiday but much to the dismay of my people I stayed."

In 1976, she arrived in New Zealand where she has been since. She has lived at Rotorua's Cantabria Rest Home for the past 14 years. During her long life she worked as a telephonist and a youth worker alongside some work with pensioners and the church. But she regarded having a family as her greatest achievement.

Mr Campion, 84, lives in Rotorua and visits his mother up to four times a week. Her daughter, Jenny Burdeon, 79, lives in Australia, but keeps in regular contact with her mother. Mrs Campion also has eight grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Mr Campion thought his mother was "marvellous" to reach 106.

"She's good mentally and she'll still tell my boys off for swearing," he said.

Staff at Cantabria said Mrs Campion joins in all the activities. "We think she's amazing."