'Many changes' in 100 years

CENTENARIAN: Eketahuna-born Ernest Fafeita celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday.

As far as Ernest Fafeita is concerned "you are only as old as you feel".

Celebrating a major milestone on Sunday - his 100th birthday - Ernest still lives in his own home and does everything for himself including cooking, driving and housework. He even bakes pretty good biscuits.

Born in Eketahuna, Ernest was one of seven children for farming couple Charles and Ethel May Fafeita. He was "proudly" named after his uncle Ernest who died at Passchendaele during World War I.

His siblings - four brothers and two sisters - have since died.

Schooled in the Wairarapa rural community, Ernest followed his father into farming for eight years earning "10 shillings-a-week" before taking up a job at the Hukanui cheese factory.

"Dad wanted me to go farming ... I loved working."

Aged 20 he headed into the army and active service overseas including in Egypt, the Middle East, Fiji, Syria, Italy, Cairo, Crete and Casino. He spent much of his time in tanks.

"I'm just one of the soldiers who went and one of the lucky ones who came back ... I didn't see that much of the fighting but you took your chances in battle. That's just the way it was," he said.

Today he is an active member of the Levin RSA.

"Well, that was my life," he said.

Returning to New Zealand, Ernest lived in Wellington for 45 years before moving to Levin.

Many changes had happened in the 100 years since he was born, Ernest said - the biggest was in technology and how everyone lived today.

"We farmed the land with horses. There was no tractor. When I was growing up the farm was mostly bushland. That's the way it was. You worked hard and you were well fed ... education is very different today. The mums used to be our teachers at school. Everybody enjoyed life.

"It's all changed now. The world is really changing fast.We've been to the Moon and Mars will be next. It's so different today. Fancy being able to sit there and watch the rugby from the other side of the world."

Meanwhile, life hasn't changed much for Ernest.

He still drives, having "not once had an accident" and with a valid licence until he is 102. He says "he will die before it expires".

The secret to a long life is eating well and exercise, Mr Fafeita said.