Popular sweet hits 60

Charles Diver's children Nancy, Peter and John at the Regina factory. Photo / Oamaru Mail

The family of the man who made the country's first Pineapple Chunks have met at the factory where the favourite sweet was turned out for the first time 60 years ago.

Among the family members who gathered in Oamaru on Friday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Charles Diver's invention was his daughter Nancy Bell and sons Peter and John.

Peter Diver carried with him his father's recipe book, which includes a list of ingredients for pineapple chunks.

The youngest member of the family group at the celebrations was 1-year-old Charles Diver who joined the rest of his extended family to sample the latest offering of the sweet treat.

The 60th anniversary of Mr Diver's invention also marked a milestone for the manufacturer of the Kiwi sweet.

Under the branding of Regina, Rainbow Confectionery launched a new lolly range, including Pineapple Chunks. Although Mr Diver's recipe has been "tinkered with a little bit" in order for the 2013 Regina Pineapple Chunks to contain 15 per cent pineapple juice, Rainbow Confectionery's sales and marketing manager for the new range, Simon Williams, said the spirit of the original chunks lived on.

"New Zealand's affection for unique home-grown lollies is never more evident than when we lose a few, so our mission is to make lollies for Kiwis by Kiwis and bring back the fun," he said.