This week, the couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at their Mosgiel home, still as in love as when they married on June 26, 1948.
Martin (87) and Moira (83) have six children - Lorraine, Sandra, Janice, Noel, Doug and Michael - and eight grandchildren.
The success of their union lay in helping each other through everything life had to offer, they said.
''Everything we do, we are always consulting with each other. I think we probably just keep busy and we have been lucky with the family - they are always around for us,'' Mrs Heffernan said.
As a young man, Mr Heffernan worked on his family's Conical Hill farm and each Friday ventured into Gore.
There he spotted a young Moira, who worked in a shop as a corsetier.
They both attended an evening dance with friends, ending up together.
''I had seen her around a few times before that,'' Mr Heffernan said.
''He must have been on the lookout for a cook,'' his wife quipped.
After their wedding, Mr and Mrs Heffernan moved to the Conical Hill farm and settled.
In the 1970s, they moved to Tapanui and after a few years relocated to South Canterbury.
Eight years ago, they came to live at Mosgiel.
On their anniversary, Mr and Mrs Heffernan enjoyed lunch with friends from Gore and family members.
They planned to spend this weekend away ''somewhere where there is no snow'', Mrs Heffernan said.
''When we were bringing up the family we just got on with it, as you have to.
''We worked hard and didn't spend much time off the farm,'' Mr Heffernan said.
In their retirement, they were kept busy with everyday tasks and with keeping each other company.
''Time still seems to fly by, but people tell me it's because we are doing everything slower,'' Mrs Heffernan said.
