Couple celebrate diamond anniversary

Barry Bonnington got more than he bargained for when he went to his local dairy to buy a packet of cigarettes.

He ended up falling in love with the dairy owner's daughter.

Kawaha Point couple Mary and Barry Bonnington are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary tomorrow with family and friends.

The couple who have four adult children, William, Tirita, Petrina and Alex, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, live in a house Mr Bonnington built on the same land he once farmed.

The pair seem to be just as much in love today as they must have been when they met.

He was instantly smitten by Mary when he first set eyes on her.

"Oh, she was a pretty little girl. I'd call in if I wanted a smoke or not."

Mrs Bonnington said he'd pop along to watch her play basketball too.

"Chasing a bit of skirt," he jokingly interjected.

And Mrs Bonnington is happy with her man.

Life has been busy for them with Mr Bonnington, who was once in the Air Training Corp, joining the New Zealand Police as the first dog handler in Rotorua. He stayed in the role for 30 years, establishing the Retired Police Officers club on his retirement.

Mrs Bonnington said he was hardly ever home - away for weeks when chasing down infamous prison escapee George Wilder who was on the run for 69 days in 1962. Wilder was captured in Whakamaru but went on to escape twice more.

Mr Bonnington got called out at night often too.

"He was hardly ever home ... we didn't get to see him that often ... he was gone weeks and weeks at a time," Mrs Bonnington recalled.

These days he is home pottering around in the garden.

Daughter Tirita Olsen told the Rotorua Daily Post the family were stoked to help them celebrate this milestone.

"We just feel so blessed to have them still. They are caring parents and grandparents."

Following dinner tomorrow night, the couple are hosting a morning tea at St Faith's Church in Ohinemutu on Sunday.