Two cakes, a card from King Charles and a special message from TV host Bradley Walsh for NZ’s second-oldest citizen

Friday, 24 July 2026

Doris Wakelin may have had two cakes, a karaoke party and cards from King Charles, the prime minister and the governor-general to mark her birthday, but it might just be a personal message from her favourite TV host that put the biggest twinkle in her eye.

Having turned 109 on Friday – born on July 24, 1917, while World War I was still going on and William Ferguson Massey was leading the country – Wakelin is New Zealand’s second oldest person.

She celebrated at her home at Radius Millstream aged care provider in Ashburton with about 60 guests, including family, residents and staff, juggling a TV appearance in the morning before enjoying her party.

Doris Wakelin, New Zealand's second-oldest citizen, celebrating her 109th birthday on Friday at Radius Millstream Rest Home in Ashburton.

Her granddaughter, Sheryl Graham, led the singing, and hits like Sweet Caroline, classics from Johnny Cash and her favourite song, Bette Midler's The Rose, rang through the room.

'It was a very special day for her,“ said her daughter, Noella Talbot, 76. 'She was very tired by the afternoon. Once the karaoke she went back to her room, and I think she was quite happy to have a wee nod off after she’d had her afternoon tea.”

Beyond the singalong, renditions of Happy Birthday and the special cards, there was another greeting waiting for her – one she has had for the last six years.

Wakelin holding a toy giraffe, her favourite animal, gifted to her by the staff of Radius Care.

Wakelin is a huge fan of television presenter Bradley Walsh, watching his quiz show The Chase twice a day.

Walsh sent a personal video message from outside a studio in Sheffield where he was filming Gladiators, joking that “people will start to talk” about his regular messages.

He promised her he wanted to visit her in New Zealand and hoped to see her soon, signing off with a kiss and saying: “Happy birthday, Doris. The chase is on.”

Wakelin receiving on her two cakes on her 109th birthday, which involved a karaoke singalong.

'She loves Bradley,' Talbot laughed. 'He promised again that he must come and see her. Six years later, we're still waiting for tea and cake!'

Wakelin has lived in Ashburton her entire life, raising six children with her farm-labourer husband, cooking for shearing on local farms.

After his death in 1973 she worked in a local supermarket, where she met her second husband. He died suddenly, and she has been on her own since 1975.

Wakelin celebrating her birthday with her daughter Noella Talbot, left, and her granddaughter Sheryl Graham.

But she was always busy, being a member of the Women’s Institute into her late 90s, and is still part of the Ashburton RSA.

Along with her six children she had 14 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great-grandchildren – some of whom visited her on her birthday.

Radius Care chief executive Andrew Peskett also flew down from Auckland for Wakelin’s birthday, presenting her with a cuddly giraffe, her favourite animal, which she promptly named “Bradley”.

'She was very quietly spoken, very calm, and a lovely, delightful lady,' Peskett said. 'I think you could tell she was really, really pleased to be surrounded by her family and all the caring staff.'

Talbot said Wakelin had been a great mum, who had always been there to support anybody, and a great listener.

“I am very proud of her … and when you see what they did for her and how special everyone realised [her birthday] was, it makes you think, gosh, this is a significant achievement.”