Family celebrate milestones

There's no big secret when it comes to marriage - just be honest and accept your partner for who they are.

At least that's what Rotorua couple Jim and Mavis Wiggins reckon.

The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the weekend and Jim said there was no real secret to a long-lasting marriage.

"Everyone seems to think there's a secret but I think it's just about accepting each other. Everyone has their ups and downs, even best friends."

They celebrated their milestone with a family dinner at the CT Club on Saturday night, along with another milestone - Jim's mother Linda Wiggins' 103rd birthday.

Jim, 81, and Mavis, 80, met when Jim was holidaying in Rotorua.

Jim was living in Dargaville at the time, contracting to farms and selling fertiliser.

"I was just with a friend on holiday. We were just young fellows then, only 18 or so," Jim said.

Mavis was born and raised in Rotorua.

"I've always lived in Mamaku," she said.

The pair went to the cinema for their first date and Mavis recalled thinking Jim was "pretty cool".

He moved to Rotorua a year later and he and Mavis were married at St John's Church the following year.

The couple have three children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Mavis said their 60 years together had been an adventure which had seen them travel and create a family.

The couple said it was great to have been able to celebrate their anniversary alongside Jim's mother's birthday.

Linda now lives in Paeroa but she celebrated her 100th birthday in Rotorua three years ago.