Mr. Reynolds, Doyen of New Zealand, sadly passed away on 17 May 2022: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/former-heart-doctor-laurence-reynolds-dies-aged-107-believed-new-zealands-oldest-man/USNZVZHYLDBDLQMSXVYOFHEOCQ/

The new Doyen of New Zealand is Jack Coe (born 11 May 1916, 106).
He became the oldest known living man in New Zealand after the death of Mr. Reynolds, on 17 May 2022.
Mr. Coe currently lives in New Zealand.
At almost 106: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/anzac-day-observed-with-a-flyover-and-unveiling-at-ohakea/EV7S5CSZBK5L63C33G5MTY3HDI/

Aileen Kars source:
 https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/manawatu-top-stories/122749657/aileen-kars-sees-in-her-107th-birthday-in-with-zoom-party 

The new Doyenne of New Zealand is Aileen Kars​ (born 12 September 1913, 108).
She became  the oldest known living person in New Zealand, following the death of 110-year-old Joan Brennan, on 29 July 2022.
Ms. Kars currently lives in a retirement home in Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. She was born in Manawatu, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand.
At 108: https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300405402/age-a-reward-for-kindness-says-manawats-oldest-resident-as-she-turns-108

heatwave116 wrote:

Connie Trewern, the second-oldest known person in NZ, turned 109 on 2 October.

View this post on Instagram

She was born in Guernsey on 2 October 1913.
https://rangitoto-observer.co.nz/love-of-a-flutter-undimmed-107-years-down-the-track/

heatwave wrote:

James Easton, NZ's second-oldest known man, turned 106 on 12 December. He was born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, in 1916.

https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/ryman-news/rymans-oldest-nz-resident-turns-106

Posted by: @ale76

↑

heatwave116 wrote:

Connie Trewern, the second-oldest known person in NZ, turned 109 on 2 October.

View this post on Instagram

She was born in Guernsey on 2 October 1913.
https://rangitoto-observer.co.nz/love-of-a-flutter-undimmed-107-years-down-the-track/

She sadly passed away on 17 March 2023, aged 109 y.o. and 166 d.

RIP

Posted by: @ale76

↑

....

The new Doyen of New Zealand is Jack Coe (born 11 May 1916, 106).
He became the oldest known living man in New Zealand after the death of Mr. Reynolds, on 17 May 2022.
Mr. Coe currently lives in New Zealand.
At almost 106: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/anzac-day-observed-with-a-flyover-and-unveiling-at-ohakea/EV7S5CSZBK5L63C33G5MTY3HDI/

He turns 107: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nzs-oldest-man-celebrates-107th-birthday/XYOGQWCVKVGZVBM6EEG3ZY5RJA/

Happy Birthday!

Posted by: @ale76

↑

Posted by: @ale76

↑

....

The new Doyen of New Zealand is Jack Coe (born 11 May 1916, 106).
He became the oldest known living man in New Zealand after the death of Mr. Reynolds, on 17 May 2022.
Mr. Coe currently lives in New Zealand.
At almost 106: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/anzac-day-observed-with-a-flyover-and-unveiling-at-ohakea/EV7S5CSZBK5L63C33G5MTY3HDI/

He turns 107: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nzs-oldest-man-celebrates-107th-birthday/XYOGQWCVKVGZVBM6EEG3ZY5RJA/

Happy Birthday!

 

Rest in peace.

The new Doyen of New Zealand is James Easton (born 12 December 1916, 106).
He became the oldest known living man in New Zealand after the death of Mr. Coe, on 13 May 2023.
Mr. Easton currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand. He was born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland (UK), moving to Canada with his family at the age of three, before they settled in the Hunter Valley in Australia when he was 11.
At 106:> https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/ryman-news/rymans-oldest-nz-resident-turns-106

Rest in Peace Jack Coe.

The Doyenne of New Zealand, Aileen Kars​ (born on 12 September 1913) turned 110: https://longeviquest.com/2023/09/aileen-kars-new-zealands-oldest-living-person-turns-110/
Congratulations!

The Vice-Doyenne of New Zealand, Eleanor Wilson (born on June 28th 1914), sadly passed away at the age of 109 on August 19th. RIP
https://thethaiger.com/world/news/964/

Mr. Easton, Doyen of New Zealand, turns 107

https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/ryman-news/ww2-pow-celebrates-107th-birthday

A few NZ centenarians 105+

* Margaret Lambourn, b. 3 July 1915 in England, Bay of Plenty

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/margaret-lambourn-celebrates-108th-birthday-in-tauranga/LERDT4EBWFEULCVKFMRRQUZ4NE/

* Dora Smith, b. 20 Dec 1916, Canterbury

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350134453/century-old-grief-cant-dim-doras-birthday-smile

* Doris Wakelin, b. 24 July 1917, Canterbury

https://www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz/news/doris-celebrates-her-106th-birthday/

* Hilda Simmons, b. 15 Nov 1917, Waikato

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/106-year-old-hilda-simmons-celebrates-birthday-in-whangamata/AJI477IL7JARLO6KCNY3PKAB4U/

* Methuen Mabin (Male), b. 14 Dec 1917, Canterbury (his wife Margaret, 104, was born on 16 Sept 1919)

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350063767/couple-who-met-1937-celebrate-79-years-marriage

* Bruce Powell (Male), b. 26 May 1918, Auckland

https://www.gc.ac.nz/glenfield-college-newsletter-term-2-week-5-2023/

* Wynne Bullen, b. 8 Dec 1918 in England, Manawatu-Whanganui

https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/12/08/levin-woman-celebrates-turning-105-i-dont-feel-any-different/

Honorable Mention: Isla Mathews turned 105 in 2020 or 2021, I can't find anything else about her.

https://pss.org.nz/assets/Uploads/PSS-Annual-Report-2020-2021-FINAL2.pdf (page 15)

Margaret Lambourn - the 2nd-oldest living person in New Zealand - turned 109 on 3 July 2024:

Source

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 12th December 2024)

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 111 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 109 y.o.
3. James Easton (Auckland) (b. 12 December 1916 in the UK), 108 y.o. Doyen of New Zealand
4. Dora Smith (Christchurch, Canterbury) (b. 20 December 1916), 107 y.o.
5. Catherine Brown (Waikato) (b. 31 March 1917 in the UK), 107 y.o.
6. Doris Wakelin (Canterbury) (b. 24 July 1917), 107 y.o.
7. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 107 y.o.
8. Hilda Simmons (Waikato) (b. 15 November 1917), 107 y.o.
9. Noeline Ritson (Auckland/Wellington) (b. 26 December 1917), 106 y.o.
10. Lloyd Geering (Canterbury/Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 106 y.o.

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 10th January 2025)
Today's update (Ms. Smith turned 108; Ms. Ritson turned 107; RIP Ms. Smith)

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 111 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 109 y.o.
3. James Easton (Auckland) (b. 12 December 1916 in the UK), 108 y.o. Doyen of New Zealand
4. Catherine Brown (Waikato) (b. 31 March 1917 in the UK), 107 y.o.
5. Doris Wakelin (Canterbury) (b. 24 July 1917), 107 y.o.
6. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 107 y.o.
7. Hilda Simmons (Waikato) (b. 15 November 1917), 107 y.o.
8. Noeline Ritson (Wellington) (b. 26 December 1917), 107 y.o.
9. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 106 y.o.
10. Wynne Ruge (Auckland) (b. 19 May 1918 in the UK), 106 y.o.

Mr. Geering on 22 February 2025

(posted on facebook)

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 26th February 2025)
Today's update (Mr. Geering turned 107)

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 111 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 109 y.o.
3. James Easton (Auckland) (b. 12 December 1916 in the UK), 108 y.o. Doyen of New Zealand
4. Catherine Brown (Waikato) (b. 31 March 1917 in the UK), 107 y.o.
5. Doris Wakelin (Canterbury) (b. 24 July 1917), 107 y.o.
6. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 107 y.o.
7. Hilda Simmons (Waikato) (b. 15 November 1917), 107 y.o.
8. Noeline Ritson (Wellington) (b. 26 December 1917), 107 y.o.
9. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 107 y.o.
10. Wynne Ruge (Auckland) (b. 19 May 1918 in the UK), 106 y.o.

Ann Carroll (23 February 1916 - 27 May 2024) was probably in the top 10 when she died.

106th birthday report: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/128196972/106-year-olds-get-up-and-go-the-secret-to-a-long-life

Death date sourced from NZ BDM.

Aileen Karrs is the oldest (reliably validated) NZ born person ever and also doyenne of Australasia.

Clara Stancombe (28 July 1914 - 21 March 2024; 109 years, 237 days) was the known #2 in NZ when she died.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/268763538/clara-faulds-stancombe

Her birth and death records on NZ BDM confirm her age.

Trevor Page (1 June 1919 - 11 October 2024; 105 years, 132 days) was likely in the top 10 oldest men in NZ, his age has also been confirmed via NZ BDM.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/275567736/trevor-morton-page

EDIT: More women 108+ and men 105+ that I could confirm through NZ BDM:

Victoria Drury (29 May 1897 - 9 July 2005; 108 years, 41 days) - 3rd OLP in NZ after Florence Finch and Mahala Sadler

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/221038566/victoria-louise_may-drury

Arthur Willson (2 November 1900 - 20 September 2007; 106 years, 322 days) - oldest living man in NZ from the death of Cecil Hamilton on 10 April 2006, eclipsed the reigns of both Ernest Ryland and Trevor Henry, and was succeeded by Harold Clark.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/221525453/arthur-horace-willson

Norman McGaffin (21 February 1908 - 23 December 2013; 105 years, 305 days) - 3rd oldest known man in NZ after Ian Chirnside and Bob Edwards, all 3 born in the same month!

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/274239181/norman-mcgaffin

Ernest Sellens (18 January 1914 - 20 June 2019; 105 years, 153 days)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/221611648/ernest-lionel-sellens

Charles Darr (2 February 1915 - 1 October 2020; 105 years, 242 days) - born in England

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/262812475/charles-leonard-darr

Trevor Hill (27 July 1918 - 22 September 2023; 105 years, 55 days) - married for 77 years, his wife Valerie died in 2024 aged 101.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/278570304/trevor-hugh-hill

Cathy Brown died on 17 March, 2 weeks before her 108th birthday.

https://deaths.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz/obituaries/waikato-times-nz/name/catherine-brown-obituary?id=57910660

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 20th March 2025)
Today's update (RIP Ms. Brown)

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 111 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 109 y.o.
3. James Easton (Auckland) (b. 12 December 1916 in the UK), 108 y.o. Doyen of New Zealand
4. Doris Wakelin (Canterbury) (b. 24 July 1917), 107 y.o.
5. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 107 y.o.
6. Hilda Simmons (Waikato) (b. 15 November 1917), 107 y.o.
7. Noeline Ritson (Wellington) (b. 26 December 1917), 107 y.o.
8. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 107 y.o.
9. Wynne Ruge (Auckland) (b. 19 May 1918 in the UK), 106 y.o.
10. Hugh Powell (Auckland) (b. 26 May 1918 in the UK), 106 y.o.

Three men in the top 10 living oldest NZ people! Very impressive!

A good statistic, but perhaps Aileen Kars is the most impressive outcome.

She has been the doyen of NZ since July 2022 and continues to add to her current lead as the oldest NZ born person ever.

The prior record holder was Madeleine Anderson at 111-46.

Let's hope that Aileen Kars (not Karrs) will reach age 112+! 🙂

This is a new list here on the site
Waikato for the first time has only one name here,Auckland for the first time has 3 names
Since the list of 10 Jan 2025 we have only 8 107+

The following may assist re how we may expect a random distribution of the NZ top 10 to look – via the circa 5.2m population distribution. The top 11 areas (population and national %) are.

Pop 1,000s

1,650 Auckland 31.7%

   650 Canterbury 12.5%

   535 Waikato 10.3%

   520 Wellington 10.0%

   335 Bay of Plenty 6.4%

  250 Manawatu-Whanganui 4.8%

  250 Otago 4.8%

  200 Northland 3.8%

  175 Hawkes Bay 3.4%

  125 Taranaki 2.4%

  100 Southland 1.9%

Those with most population growth are the top 5 excluding Wellington. Canterbury is recovering from multiple major earthquakes in 2010-2012 and is the “hub” of the South Island. There is a high proportion of retirees in Bay of Plenty and Northland.

If I arrange them from north (warmer climate) to south (cooler), it would be.

200 Northland 3.8%

1650 Auckland 31.7%

535 Waikato 10.3%

335 Bay of Plenty 6.4%

175 Hawkes Bay 3.4%

125 Taranaki 2.4%

250 Manawatu-Whanganui 4.8%

520 Wellington 10.0%

650 Canterbury 12.5%

250 Otago 4.8%

100 Southland 1.9%

The climatic differences are not too significant. A winter day maximum temperature is 13-16 Celsius for the top 4 and maybe 7-9 Celsius for the bottom 3. The summer temperatures are not extreme anywhere, but winter nights are cool(ish) for the bottom 3 (say -5 to 2 Celsius)

I’d probably expect Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty to make up say 6 of the top 10. Maybe one each for Canterbury and Wellington – plus say one or two random locations – right now Mrs Kars, from the Manawatu-Whanganui area + Northland (with the warmest climate).

So from a random perspective =- it looks about right.

Broadly speaking:

Climatic factors would be expected to be more risky for supercentenarian mortality - in winter - for New Zealand.  

But summer would likely bring the more severe supercentenarian risks in Australia.