Audrey Parkinson at 107: Life, laughter and the rise of New Zealand centenarians

Her niece Judith Grant, 73, remains one of her closest companions. Grant visits weekly to help with shopping and phones daily “to break up her aunt’s day”, though she said Parkinson needs little help to keep busy.

A lifelong reader and crossword fan, Parkinson is content in her own company but still enjoys village activities – especially bingo, staff said.

Parkinson worked in various roles throughout her life, but one job stands out: being appointed a central-city postwoman in Auckland during World War II.

She delivered mail to businesses on Queen St and Symonds St, forming friendships with a group of fellow postwomen that lasted decades.

Still sharp-witted at 107, Audrey Parkinson slices through her birthday cake then, with a grin and a laugh, waves the knife at her gathering of family and friends, saying, “Who’s next?” Photo / Sarah Curtis

She moved to Whangārei about 25 years ago to be closer to family and has lived at Jane Mander for the past 14 years.

Still fiercely independent, she lives in a serviced apartment, receiving a cooked lunch each day but preparing her own breakfast and dinner.

Parkinson gets around with a walking frame for short distances and a wheelchair only when needed.

While she eats plenty of fruit and vegetables, exercise has never appealed – regardless of what experts might claim about longevity.

Now 107, when she was 18 Audrey Parkinson (left) helped look after the newborn Jill Cunningham (right). The pair were reunited again at Whangarei’s Jane Mander Retirement Village, where they are now both residents. Photo / Sarah Curtis

Grant said what she admires most is her aunt’s attitude to life. When asked how she reached 107, Parkinson replied she has “no idea”.

Grant suspected the real secret is her aunt’s positivity, sense of humour, and “cheeky streak”.

Proving her wit remains sharp as ever, after slicing through her birthday cake, Parkinson held up the carving knife, grinned and quipped, “who’s next?” then cheekily pretended to sample the icing.

Among her birthday guests was fellow resident and centenarian Grace Powell, who turns 102 in August.

Judith Grant (right rear) wheels her 107 year-old aunt Audrey Parkinson into her birthday event at Jane Mander Retirement Village. Photo / Sarah Curtis

Parkinson and Powell are among the country’s fast-growing number of old residents. In 2025, 34,400 New Zealanders were in their 90s.

At the 2023 Census, 792 New Zealanders were aged 100 or older, up from 66 in 1976 and the increase has more than doubled since 1996.

At 112, Aileen Kars of Palmerston North is the country’s oldest known living person, with Wellington theologian Lloyd Geering believed to be the oldest living man at 108.

The oldest New Zealander ever was Hawke’s Bay woman Florence Finch, who lived to 113 years, 109 days.

Northland’s record holder remains Lena Walker, who died aged 109 in 2021.

Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast.