British centenarian emigrates to New Zealand

AUCKLAND (New Zealand), February 14 (RIA Novosti) - The oldest immigrant in New Zealand's history has arrived in the country's capital, Wellington, onboard the Saga Rose cruise ship, the NZPA news agency said on Thursday.

Eric King-Turner, a 102 year-old retired dentist and his wife Doris, 88, arrived in New Zealand on St Valentine's Day after a five-week journey.

King-Turner's wife was born in New Zealand, and he thought she might like to return to her roots.

"My wife lived with me for 13 years in Britain, so I thought she might be getting homesick," he said.

"It's a wonderful new adventure, and I would say to anyone that if you want to do something you should do it straight away while you can," King-Turner said. "What's important is that when I'm 105, I don't want to be thinking 'I wish I had moved to the other side of the world when I was 102."

The centenarian, who has lived through two World Wars and knew some of the survivors of the Titanic, explained the secret of his longevity to Radio New Zealand: "I've always been very fond of animal fats ... butter, sugar, salt, gin and all the things you are not supposed to have."

"I love gin and New Zealand makes great gin - the stronger, the better for me," he added.

He explained that his passion for trout fishing had also played its part in his departure from Albion's shores.

Doris and Eric, both widowed, met each other in 1981 in the U.K. while Doris was tracing her family tree. They got married in New Zealand in 1995.