New Zealand’s longest-serving mayor, Sir Tim Shadbolt, visited 106-year-old Isabelle Burgess-Matthews, whom he believed to be the oldest person in the South Island.
Mrs Burgess-Matthews celebrated the milestone in January, but due to Covid-19 restrictions and a busy agenda, a meeting between the two could only take place yesterday at Vickery Court, where she lives.
The Invercargill mayor, who turned 75 last month, said Mrs Burgess-Matthews (nee Miles) was an inspiration.
"She’s certainly lived to a ripe old age and she puts it down to hard work and enjoying the country life.
"Mrs [Burgess-]Matthews here is 106 years old — there is a couple older in North Island but there is no-one we could find who could beat her in Southland or the South Island."
He asked anyone who could beat her record to come forward as "we want to know if Mrs [Burgess-]Matthews holds the record for the South".
Mrs Burgess-Matthews’ son Ian Burgess said his mother was quite emotional over the meeting as she had always had a lot of respect for Sir Tim.
"There is 181 years of experience on this couch."
Asked if he would like to achieve such a milestone, Sir Tim said, "I’ve been mayor for Invercargill for 36 years so I like challenges ... She is an inspiration for sure."
