Who Is NZ’s Longest Married Couple 2017

Media Release 2 Dec 2016
Is 81+ years still the record? And is it a world record?
For the second year running, Family First NZ has launched the annual search for the Longest Married Couple in New Zealand.
Nominations will be taken until 15 January 2017 with the winners named on 14 February 2017 (Valentine’s Day) to coincide with National Marriage Week.
New Zealand couple JERAM & GANGA RAVJI (below) who won the award at the beginning of this year celebrated 81 years of marriage in April, and both turned 100 years old this year! That’s very impressive and is going to be very difficult to beat. It may also set a world record which we are checking on.
The highly acclaimed activity of recognising couples for their long marriages, which is in its seventh year in the U.S. and fourth year in Canada, has drawn media attention from around the world. In 2014 Harold & Edna Owings of California were recognised for their 82 years of marriage.

This is an opportunity to promote marriage and honour couples who have done the ‘hard yards’. Marriage is a great institution but it requires love and commitment, hard work, and community support. We want to celebrate with couples who are setting the example for younger married couples just starting out.
The NZ winners will be selected solely from nominations submitted. The national winners will be recognised on Valentine’s Day 2017, which coincides with National Marriage Week which is the second week of February each year. An appropriate award – (the Ravjis had a professional photo sitting with their extended family which includes 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren) – will be presented by Family First NZ at a ceremony to be held at the winner’s location during Valentine’s week.
Nominations which are open to any married couple (either NZ citizen or NZ resident) may be submitted by email [email protected] or by posting to Family First NZ, P.O.Box 276-133, Manukau City 2241.
Got a nomination? Let us know!