Bruce Powell celebrated his 107th birthday yesterday! Source

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 27th May 2025)
Today's update (RIP Ms. Ritson https://notices.nzherald.co.nz/nz/obituaries/nzherald-nz/name/noeline-ritson-obituary?id=58408191 ; Ms. Harrison 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. 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. Winifred Williams (Canterbury) (b. 7 January 1918), 107 y.o.
8. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 107 y.o. 
9. Una Harrison (Kerikeri, Northland) (b. 27 April 1918 in ZAF), 107 y.o.
10. Rima Arney (Otago) (b. 15 May 1918), 107 y.o.

UR. Wynne Ruge (Auckland) (b. 19 May 1918 in the UK), 107 y.o.

Wellington for the first time has only 1 name here
Northland for the first time has 2 names here
26 Feb 2025 was the last time it had 9 107+

Like with Australia, New Zealand men appear to perform rather well at extreme ages.

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 8th July 2025)
Today's update (Ms. Lambourn turned 110; RIP Ms. Ruge)

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), 110 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. Winifred Williams (Canterbury) (b. 7 January 1918), 107 y.o.
8. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 107 y.o. 
9. Una Harrison (Kerikeri, Northland) (b. 27 April 1918 in ZAF), 107 y.o.
10. Rima Arney (Otago) (b. 15 May 1918), 107 y.o.

It's a recent list, but since the beginning of the list here is the first time with 2 110+

To date New Zealand has produced 11 verified supercentenarians, three of which made it to 111, with Florence Finch going on to 113.

Numerous times in the past (for example Madeleine Anderson and Mabel Jenkins), and other combinations, NZ has come within a few months of two living supercentenarians.

But this is the first time it’s been achieved.

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 12th September 2025)
Today's update (Ms. Kars turned 112; Ms. Wakelin turned 108 https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-districts/star-mid-canterbury/happy-108th-birthday-doris ; Ms. Gardiner turned 108 https://www.localmatters.co.nz/health/sybil-celebrates-108th-at-rsa/ )

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 112 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 110 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), 108 y.o.
5. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 108 y.o.
6. Hilda Simmons (Waikato) (b. 15 November 1917), 107 y.o.
7. Winifred Williams (Canterbury) (b. 7 January 1918), 107 y.o.
8. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 107 y.o. 
9. Una Harrison (Kerikeri, Northland) (b. 27 April 1918 in ZAF), 107 y.o.
10. Rima Arney (Otago) (b. 15 May 1918), 107 y.o.

First time New Zealand has 5 108+ and 1 112+ on the list since it began being published here

Sadly, Mr Easton passed on 17 September, but the 5 person milestone did stand until that day.

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 3rd October 2025)
Today's update (RIP Mr. Easton)

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 112 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 110 y.o.
3. Doris Wakelin (Canterbury) (b. 24 July 1917), 108 y.o.
4. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 108 y.o.
5. Hilda Simmons (Waikato) (b. 15 November 1917), 107 y.o.
6. Winifred Williams (Christchurch, Canterbury) (b. 7 January 1918), 107 y.o.
7. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 107 y.o. Doyen of New Zealand
8. Una Harrison (Kerikeri, Northland) (b. 27 April 1918 in ZAF), 107 y.o.
9. Rima Arney (Otago) (b. 15 May 1918), 107 y.o.
10. Hugh Powell (Auckland) (b. 26 May 1918 in the UK), 107 y.o.

We now have 4 108+, the lowest number since July 8, when there were 3. July 8 was also the last time there were 9 107+ on the list.
Auckland has only 1 name now, returning to the level of February 26.
Northland has 2 people now, its record here.
March 20 was the last list with only 2 men on the list.

Ms. Winifred Williams of Canterbury, New Zealand sadly passed away on 21 January 2026 at age 107.

She was born on 7 January 1918.

She was the 6th oldest known living person in New Zealand. 

https://www.legacy.com/person/Winifred-%28Winnie%29-WILLIAMS-60544075

Rest in peace.

Rest in peace Ms Winifred Williams.

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 30th January 2026)
Today's update (Ms. Simmons and Ms. Williams turned 108; RIP Ms. Williams)

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 112 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 110 y.o.
3. Doris Wakelin (Canterbury) (b. 24 July 1917), 108 y.o.
4. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 108 y.o.
5. Hilda Simmons (Waikato) (b. 15 November 1917), 108 y.o.
6. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 107 y.o. Doyen of New Zealand
7. Una Harrison (Kerikeri, Northland) (b. 27 April 1918 in ZAF), 107 y.o.
8. Rima Arney (Otago) (b. 15 May 1918), 107 y.o.
9. Hugh Powell (Auckland) (b. 26 May 1918 in the UK), 107 y.o.
10. Marie Havašová (Auckland) (b. 16 June 1918 in CZE), 107 y.o.

Posted by: @ale76

↑

Ms. Winifred Williams of Canterbury, New Zealand sadly passed away on 21 January 2026 at age 107.

She was born on 7 January 1918.

She was the 6th oldest known living person in New Zealand. 

https://www.legacy.com/person/Winifred-%28Winnie%29-WILLIAMS-60544075

Rest in peace.

She was born on 7 January 1918.

Posted by: @livinnho

↑

Posted by: @ale76

↑

Ms. Winifred Williams of Canterbury, New Zealand sadly passed away on 21 January 2026 at age 107.

She was born on 7 January 1918.

She was the 6th oldest known living person in New Zealand. 

https://www.legacy.com/person/Winifred-%28Winnie%29-WILLIAMS-60544075

Rest in peace.

She was born on 7 January 1918.

She lived in Canterbury.

Rest in peace, Ms. Winifred 'Winnie' Williams (1918-2026).

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 16th February 2026)
Today's update (RIP Ms. Simmons)

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 112 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 110 y.o.
3. Doris Wakelin (Canterbury) (b. 24 July 1917), 108 y.o.
4. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 108 y.o.
5. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 107 y.o. Doyen of New Zealand
6. Una Harrison (Kerikeri, Northland) (b. 27 April 1918 in ZAF), 107 y.o.
7. Rima Arney (Otago) (b. 15 May 1918), 107 y.o.
8. Hugh Powell (Auckland) (b. 26 May 1918 in the UK), 107 y.o.
9. Marie Havašová (Auckland) (b. 16 June 1918 in CZE), 107 y.o.
10. Anonymous (b. 1918), 107 y.o.

Winifred Williams joined the list on December 12, 2024.
For the first time, Canterbury has only 1 name on this list in this forum.
Hilda Simmons also joined the list on December 12, 2024 (which was the first one published here).
For the first time, Waikato has no representative here.
New Plymouth appears on the list for the first time.
For the first time, we have an anonymous person here.

Top 10 Oldest Living People in New Zealand (as of 1st March 2026)
Today's update (Mr. Geering turned 108; RIP Ms. Harrison)

1. Aileen Kars (Manawatu-Whanganu) (b. 12 September 1913), 112 y.o. Doyenne of New Zealand
2. Margaret Lambourn (Bay of Plenty) (b. 3 July 1915 in the UK), 110 y.o.
3. Doris Wakelin (Canterbury) (b. 24 July 1917), 108 y.o.
4. Sybil Gardiner (Northland) (b. 6 August 1917), 108 y.o.
5. Lloyd Geering (Wellington) (b. 26 February 1918), 108 y.o. Doyen of New Zealand
6. Rima Arney (Otago) (b. 15 May 1918), 107 y.o.
7. Hugh Powell (Auckland) (b. 26 May 1918 in the UK), 107 y.o.
8. Marie Havašová (Auckland) (b. 16 June 1918 in CZE), 107 y.o.
9. Anonymous (b. 1918), 107 y.o.
10. Anonymous (b. 1918), 107 y.o.

Mrs Kars has recently entered the top 40 oldest validated living people.

This is only the second time this has happened.

Mind you Florence Finch went much higher, ending up in 6th position.

According to NZ BDM, Helen Church died back on 2 January aged 107 years, 123 days. Rest in peace.

We're back to having 5,108+ entries after an update that only had 4; the list from January 30th had 5,108+ entries.

Posted by: @heatwave116

↑

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

Margaret Mabin doesn't appear in the New Zealand BDM death index, so she could still be alive at 106. I have no other evidence of this, though.

@heatwave116 It is fairly likely she is. Countries that have mandatory civil registration like New Zealand that is regularly updated very rarely let centenarians slip through the cracks.

Posted by: @musicotic

↑

@heatwave116 It is fairly likely she is. Countries that have mandatory civil registration like New Zealand that is regularly updated very rarely let centenarians slip through the cracks.

That's what I thought. New Zealand's death index is very comprehensive and up-to-date.

Mrs Mabin very likely isn't in the top 10 yet, but its worth bearing her in mind if that time should come.

EDIT: The current top 8 are all likely still alive also, as I've checked the death index and none are on it.

This man, William Henry "Wil" Thomas, was born on 29 February 1920 in Wales and lives in Dunedin, Otago. He has not been reported since age 100, but does not appear in NZ's death index, so he too is potentially alive at 106.

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/card-queen-only-25

Una Harrison of Kerikeri, Northland, was born on 27 April 1918 in South Africa, and died on 24 February 2026 at the age of 107 years, 303 days. This would make her the 6th-oldest resident of NZ at the time of her death.

104th birthday: https://www.kerikerivillage.co.nz/news/238/103/Una-Harrison-turns-104

105th birthday: https://www.kerikerivillage.co.nz/uploads/newsletters/KRV-4521-JUN23-WEB.pdf

107th birthday: https://www.kerikerivillage.co.nz/news/342/103/Happy-107th-Burthday-Una

Death date from NZ BDM.