They tied the knot at the Methodist church in Waipawa, Hawke's Bay, on April 15, 1952.
The couple met at a dance which Mrs Austen had to cycle almost 2.5km to. A short time later, Mr Austen saw his future wife in the street and asked her to go to the pictures with him.
"She looked nice, she felt nice, she danced nice and we could talk ... there wasn't anything I didn't like. The only thing I didn't like was having to take her brother and sister."
After 18 months going out, they got engaged on December 20, 1951, and, four months later, they were married. Mr Austen was 23 and Mrs Austen was 20.
After marrying, they lived in Patoka before moving to Seddon, near Blenheim where they spent six years and had three children.
They moved to Pongakawa where they spent 40 years and where Mr Austen was a builder. The couple moved to Rotorua 12 years ago. As well as three children, the couple have eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The couple celebrated their diamond anniversary with family and friends at the CT Club last Sunday.
At last Sunday's do, Mr Austen kissed his wife and asked her if she wanted to spend another 60 years with him.
"She said no." But Mrs Austen said she was "just joking".
Both say they are just as much in love if not more than they were 60 years ago.
Mr Austen spoke of how important their wedding vows were.
"Our vows were to love, cherish and honour ... your marriage vows are important. They are promises you make."
Mr Austen said marriage was something "you have got to work at. At times it doesn't hurt to say sorry even if you are not wrong." What Mr Austen loved most about his wife was her caring nature.
Mrs Austen loves everything about her husband but particularly his honesty, faithfulness and trusting nature.
And she emphasises that good communication is the key to a long marriage.
As for tips for those considering marriage Mr Austen said he recalled one piece of advice he was given.
"One old guy told me once 'before you go and think about getting married go and have a look at the girl's mother because who you are going to marry is a younger version of her mother'. I loved my mother-in-law. She was a good stick."