Lloyd Martin is 95 but he can still keep an audience entertained across the airwaves.
Mr Martin is the leading member of the Radius Fulton Residents' Radio Show on Otago Access Radio (Oar) Station and has only missed a couple of shows since he started in 2012.
Late last year, the show received the Oar Listeners Choice Award and Mr Martin was also made a life member of the station.
But, this was not the first time Mr Martin had won the award. It was his third time, the others being in 2013 and 2015.
Mr Martin was believed to be New Zealand's oldest active radio host.
About 10 years ago he lost a significant amount of his eyesight so he does not use a script.
"It all comes from my head. I have a pretty good memory.
"I often have a story to tell that goes with the music we play.''
Mr Martin's love for radio goes right back to 1935 when he used to sit with his parents listening to the BBC on a crystal set he made.
When war broke out in 1939, the parents of 18-year-old Mr Martin reluctantly gave him permission to go.
He then trained at an electrical and wireless school in Wigram, Canterbury, where he learned the ropes of the systems.
"It always intrigued me ... and I was better than average at it.''
During his war years, along with being a radio operator, Mr Martin also trained as an air gunner.
On his return to New Zealand in 1945, Mr Martin claimed back his job in the family shoe business.
In 1950 Mr Martin married his late wife, with whom he enjoyed 64 years of marriage.
They had five children.
When radio network the Mosquito was set up, Mr Martin was an announcer on that.
An active church member, Mr Martin was nominated by the national Church Denomination group to host a weekly radio show.
His audition was successful and he started a Sunday evening children's show in the 1960s which became very popular.
"I told stories in present tense as if they were happening now.
"I think that's what people liked.''
Mr Martin has since had various roles on the radio and it is a skill he has kept throughout his life.
Mr Martin said he was grateful to have the skill as now that he was visually impaired it was something he could still do.
"I enjoy telling stories.''
ELLA.STOKES @alliedpress.co.nz
