About 60 people from as far as Auckland gathered this week for the 55+ National Ten Pin Bowls Tournament, which was held at Superbowl.
The event ended yesterday.
Organiser Kerry Williams said the competition was last held in the city six years ago.
The tournament is promoted by the 55+ Tenpin Bowling Association of New Zealand and is held three times a year across the country.
"It is competitive at some levels, but it’s pretty much a social event," Mr Williams said.
"Fifty-five is [an age where] people have retired or are getting close to retirement, so the idea is that it gives them an interest and they have more spare time to be part of the tournaments."
"Bowling is the reason we come together, but generally it is just to make sure everybody else is healthy," he said.
Superbowl owner Angela Caughey said it was an honour to host such an event.
Rosemary Benson is the perfect example of that.
She has been bowling for the past 25 years and at 90, was the tournament’s oldest competitor.
"When my husband had retired, he decided that we might take up golf, but we weren't allowed to play on the same day — it was a ladies' day and a men's day.
"And then there was a write-up about tenpin bowling and he said ‘well, let’s go along and see what that's like."
After her husband died six years ago, she kept their passion for bowling alive.
"Nine times out of 10, when certain numbers come up on the board, I say ‘Come on, Walter, help me out with this one’.
"I still feel it is something that we do together."
