Search Is On For Longest Married NZ Couple

Media Release 14 Nov 2015
Family First NZ has launched the inaugural annual search for the Longest Married Couple in New Zealand Nominations will be taken until 15 January 2016 with the winners named on 14 February 2016 (Valentine’s Day) to coincide with National Marriage Week.

“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,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

The highly acclaimed activity of recognising couples for their long marriages, which is in its sixth year in the U.S. and third year in Canada, has drawn media attention from around the world. The 2015 U.S. winners, Dale and Alice Rockey of Kansas were married 81 years. In 2014 Harold & Edna Owings of California were recognised for their 82 years of marriage.

Winners will be selected solely from nominations submitted.

The national winners will be recognised on Valentine’s Day 2016, which coincides with National Marriage Week which is the second week of February each year. Appropriate gifts – including a family photo shoot – will be presented to them 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.

The contact information for sending in a nomination simply requires the name of the couple, their wedding date and where they currently reside – plus a contact phone number or email address of the individual nominating the couple.
ENDS