LOLA NOTCHES UP 108
This year, Lola de la Haye’s birthday card from the prime minister is going to be a little delayed.
de la Haye, of New Plymouth, turned 108 on Thursday and was surprised she didn’t receive a card from the country’s new leader.
Every year since she turned 100, de la Haye has got a stack of mail from New Zealand dignitaries such as the Governor General, MPs and usually the prime minister.
But this year she was missing a few including one from the newlyminted Ardern.
‘‘She usually gets about five or six cards, but the change of government has meant she got less this year,’’ de la Haye’s daughter Jennifer Wolfe said.
Hannah Wylie from the Government’s Congratulatory Message Service said de la Haye will receive one, even if it’s a bit late.
‘‘Since the government change over Jacinda Ardern has redesigned the cards, so once we get them back we will get them all sent out,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s a bit late unfortunately but the current ones have got Bill English on them.’’
de la Haye still got a number of cards for her birthday including from the Queen and the GovernorGeneral, Wolfe said.
But de La Haye, who lives in New Plymouth’s Molly Ryan rest home, didn’t let the lack of congratulations from Ardern ruin her birthday.
‘‘It’s been a lovely day spent with family, it was most unexpected,’’ de la Haye said. ‘‘It’s really great to see all the grandkids.’’
The family gathered at Wolfe’s house to celebrate with some of Lola’s eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
On the menu were savories, cup cakes, club sandwiches and some cheerios.
‘‘She has a good appetite and was also a great cook,’’ Wolfe said of her mother.
de la Haye’s sight and hearing are deteriorating now, but other than that and a little arthritis, she’s in good health.
Part of that could be down to her penchant for walking.
‘‘If it’s fine weather she’ll go for a walk outside and if it’s raining she’ll walk the aisles at the rest home,’’ Wolfe said.
‘‘She then tells everyone she’s walked a marathon.’’
de la Haye’s husband John died more than 35 years ago. Before that the couple were substantial land owners on Mangorei Rd, not far from where de la Haye lives at the retirement home. In 2008 a reserve was named after John and is located on Heta Rd in New Plymouth.