"It's just another birthday."
With a sparkle in her eye and cheeky sense of humour, Mrs Bolland is a favourite amongst staff at Carter Court.
When Midweek called in the day after her birthday, she was in good spirits -- despite a sore back -- and teasing Dougal the therapy dog, who was enviously eyeing her lunch.
"You have to say please first," she said.
Mrs Bolland was born in Wellington on July 8, 1913, the youngest of three. Much of her childhood was spent "on the sea", as her parents were keen sailors.
"We were all yachties," she said. "Mum was the cook. She'd get up early in the morning and make us scones, which she'd give to us wrapped in a tea towel.
"Then, Dad and I would hike out to Evans Bay with the boat."
She attended Berhampore Primary School, and Wellington Technical College.
"I spent a lot of time in the cloakroom. I was one of the naughty kids."
Mrs Bolland continued sailing as an adult, and met her husband, Jim, at a yachting function.
Their happiness was cut short when Jim went to fight in World War II, leaving Mrs Bolland behind with their son, Jim Jr.
She recalls many hardships -- trying to make ends meet in a time of austere food and power rationing.
"People would come around and check that we weren't wasting power," she said.
"I was huddled up at home, and a man comes knocking on my window -- and says, 'Mrs Bolland, you've left the light on in your bathroom'.
"It was a nasty time."
Mrs Bolland moved to Carterton around 40 years ago, making a home on Taverner St, where she lived independently until 2010.
Caregiver Lynda Whitehead said she was still chopping her own kindling, making marmalade and driving a car at 97.
"And she was growing her own vegetables," Ms Whitehead said.
"She ate very well -- all fresh food, nothing fried.
"I've only known her to take Panadol -- she's never needed blood pressure or heart medication."
Diversional therapist Faye Leveridge said Mrs Bolland was, of the residents, "the best" at bowls, crosswords and word puzzles.
And her secret to a long life?
"Getting plenty of sleep -- I always looked forward to getting into bed."
