Kemp and Doreen McGechie celebrate 70 years of marriage

Kemp and Doreen McGechie share a photo of them on their wedding day 70 years ago. Photo / George Novak

How many people can say they know a couple who have been married for 70 years? Even buying a 70th wedding anniversary card can prove difficult.

But today, Kemp and Doreen McGechie are celebrating their platinum anniversary with friends and family at the Bernadette Home in Mount Maunganui, where they live.

Kemp, 92, and Doreen, 89, met in 1949 on a farm in Ōtūmoetai when Doreen went to live with her sister and brother-in-law, who were boarding with Kemp.

Kemp was working on the farm when Doreen moved in and "met trouble".

It was a time when the only thing apart from farmland in Ōtūmoetai was the primary school. "It was all cow paddocks," Kemp said.

They got married on June 2, 1951, at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Devonport Road in Tauranga, with a reception at Tauranga town hall.

Reminiscing about their wedding day, Doreen said it was a small family wedding that was "wet" and "cold," but memorable nonetheless.

Kemp and Doreen McGechie say life begins at 40. Photo / George Novak

Kemp's career saw them move to Rotorua, where he worked for Kelly Automotives Limited for 25 years and stayed with them up until his retirement.

He started as a packer and van driver before working his way up to becoming the "ambassador of commerce", and travelling all around the Bay of Plenty.

The pair were living in Auckland and Kemp commuted from Auckland to Rotorua for six months before they permanently moved.

He stayed in a hotel for the working week and returned on the weekends.

"I had to mow the lawns when he wasn't there. It was tough!" Doreen said.

Doreen worked for a doctor for seven years where she looked after his seven children who called her "Aunty Gechie".

She has also worked at Voyager Resort in Rotorua and part-time at Pak'nSave.

Throughout the years, the two have travelled abroad, enjoyed playing golf together and can both boast getting holes-in-one.

"We've had eight or nine trips overseas… [to] Australia, Singapore, Hawaii, Norfolk Island," shared Doreen.

Kemp and Doreen McGechie share a photo of them on their wedding day 70 years ago. Photo / George Novak

Something the two both agreed on was "life begins at 40".

"The kids are off your hands. You can do what you want to do," Doreen said.

"We went and enjoyed life," Kemp said.

When looking back at their lives, Kemp said he would do "nothing different".

"We've had lots of happy times and milestones," Doreen said.

Kemp and Doreen have had two sons Kevin, 68, and Kerry, 66, and joked that they are all pensioners.

"We went out for a meal and we're all on a pensioner discount rate," Kemp laughed.

They also have six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The couple shared some quick and short advice about what contributes to a long and happy marriage.

"Say yes," shared Kemp in a quiet voice, smiling.

"Tolerance," Doreen said.

"It's all up to you. It's what you make it. Stick together and [have] patience. Everybody has arguments – no one's perfect."