NEW ZEALAND: Humour, Diet Are Keys To Longevity

PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand (Manawatu Standard), February 13, 2008: Valentine's Day baby, former Palmerston North singer and St David's church volunteer Nettie Pearce celebrates her 100th birthday in Tauranga tomorrow crediting a sense of humour, fruit and vegetables and a positive attitude for her longevity. One of the oldest survivors of the 1931 Napier Earthquake, she's still fit and well and "can hear a $5 note hit the carpet", says son David, until recently a Palmerston North drycleaner. Mrs Pearce and her late husband Martin were active Palmerston North citizens, operating the former Manawatu Tire Rebuilders business, from 1937 until they retired to Tauranga in 1964. Mrs Pearce was a music lover, singing in many choirs, and a founder member of the Palmerston North Vocal Art Society which undertook the first New Zealand performance of Verdi's Requiem with the national orchestra in 1952 - it was repeated at the old Mayfair Theatre in George Street. She also sang duets on local radio with Nettie Lawn and accompanist Edna Eyre. She was active in church mission support and local outreach programmes, and was appointed to the NZ Presbyterian Home Ministry Committee responsible for the selection, training and placement of ministers. Mrs Pearce has four children - Martin and David in Tauranga, Barbara in Rongotea, and John in Hawaii. She has eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. © Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2007