'Maybe it's the gin and tonic' DONNA-LEE BIDDLE

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/ Fairfax NZ

The McVerry family threw a birthday bash for 105-year-old family friend Nita Blackburn on Sunday. Nita celebrated in style with her friends and a glass of bubbles.

Nita Blackburn may be the oldest Waikato Times subscriber in the country.

The Hamilton woman celebrated her 105th birthday on Sunday, with a glass of champagne in one hand and a Times' crossword puzzle in the other.

"I moved to Hamilton just after the first World War and I set up home here," Blackburn said. "My Dad died in the war you know, so we moved from Southland to Auckland, which I didn't like so much. So I moved here to Hamilton."

Blackburn has been a loyal Times' reader for more than 70-years and a subscriber for "many many years".

"I've watched the paper change a lot over the years and a word of advice: Take out the ads. There are far too many advertisements," she said.

The keen gardener and mahjong player celebrated her birthday with her "adopted" family.

Blackburn had never married or had children, but she was Marie Black and Trish Kerry's mother's best friend. She has been been an honorary member of that family for years.

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Waikato Times subscriber drinks to 105 years