When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you, and the facial expression could also crack the hundy.
Summerset Richmond Ranges resident Norman Macrae became a centenarian on 30 August.
He celebrated in style with five separate festivities - including being chauffeured in a 1927 Bruit to a red carpeted entrance at the Grape Escape Café for a soiree.
The sun worshipper with a good heart and lungs who can still whoop it up until 11:30pm and was still flying domestic and international in his 90s, says grinning could be the crux of his longevity.
“I was a herd tester at one stage, and smiling was a big part of the job,” he says.
“You might have bad days, but you get over those, you’ve got to keep smiling because every day is memorable.
“I’m still pretty good with the walker, my legs aren’t very good now but when you get to 100 you have to let things fly and take things as they come.”
Born in 1924 in Edendale near Invercargill as a twin brother, Norman lost his mother four years later and moved with his war veteran father and twin and older brother to Norfolk Island, northwest of New Zealand.
He spent six years there before he and his brothers were sent to live in an orphanage in South Auckland. At 17 he began work as a motor mechanic, repairing and servicing American vehicles that had encountered saltwater during World War II, but decided the grease and oil wasn’t for him.
After a stint picking tobacco in Motueka, he relocated to the far north where he travelled round the area on a horse and cart, herd testing, before purchasing a 100-acre dairy farm at Kahoe in 1959.
He got hitched to his wife of 46 years, Amy, in 1961, and had their first son Alaister the following year and adopted their second son Neil as a baby in 1964.
The Macrae whānau moved down to Whangārei in 1971 where he worked in gardening and pool maintenance until his retirement, and remained in the city until he was 96 when he moved to Arvida Waimea Plains.
Norman shifted to Summerset Richmond Ranges two months ago for its service and loves the caring staff and the view from his suite. Along with adopted son Neil, and son Alaister who lives in Australia, he has five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Norman’s jaw dropped at one of his 100th celebrations when he opened the card containing a congratulatory message for his milestone from King Charles III.
He also received congratulations from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and Minister for Seniors, Casey Costello.
