Patience is one of the hardest things to learn in life, according to 100-year-old Anne Wakerley.

The Bob Owens Retirement Village resident is celebrating her 100th birthday today with family and friends at the Bethlehem residence.

Anne Wakerley turns 100 years old today. Photos: Supplied.

Born on January 16, 1914, Anne has lived her life with passion and patience, which she says is one of the toughest challenges.

'I'm still trying to learn patience.”

When asked what the secret is to reaching 100, Anne says 'first you get to 99” and when reminded of her age, she laughs and remembers the promise she made to her son.

'I promised my son I wouldn't live past 104.”

But she does have some secrets to her longevity – and one of them is to pray.

'Always pray expectantly, expectantly,” says Anne.

As a teenager raised in Auckland, Anne travelled to England for work where she learned business skills before returning to New Zealand.

She moved into Auckland's YMCA and later met her husband and the father of her two sons – Harry and Jim.

When her husband died, Anne – at age 63 – travelled and worked in Ethiopia and Cyprus, providing business accountancy and running bible studies.

She retired in 1979, aged 65 and once again returned to New Zealand where she is a member of the Central Baptist Church.

Staff and residents at Bob Owens are planning for her centennial birthday party this afternoon, which will be followed by a family party on Sunday attended by Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

Residents, who are busy making centre pieces of roses picked from the gardens, are full of appreciation for Anne.

'She's such a trick. We all love her. She's so unassuming and doesn't expect anything from anybody," says one resident.

'I'm catching up to her. I'm 92 this year.”

Staff at Bob Owens retirement Village also adore Anne.

"I've never been to a 100th birthday party. It's going to be so much fun!"