They are in a class of their own in this event and have won the national title for the past three years.
At the Dunedin Town Hall, they won the age 45 to 54 classical sequence and came third in the age 55 to 64 event.
Warren (64), a Christchurch graphic artist, was a tap dancer in his youth and has worked in stage shows and cabarets.
''I've done it so long now that it is inside me,'' he said.
''It's a good way of keeping fit and sweating out a few tons of water. Once we get on the floor we become quite competitive, but it's not the big issue for us.
''It started as a fun thing and then we kept on going and started competing. I just enjoy dancing, and especially with my wife and looking right into her eyes.''
Sally (60), an early childhood teacher from Christchurch, came into ballroom dancing after giving up ballet at the age of 18.
''Dancing keeps me fit and gets my brain working as well,'' Sally said.
''I've always been quite nervous and dancing has helped.''
They are dedicated to dancing and have two hour-long lessons a week with their teacher, Colleen Murray, and another 60min practice session.
It is only in the past 10 years that the couple have entered competitions.
''We did it casually for a time and then our teacher suggested that we should go into competitions,'' Sally said.
''It meant that we had to practise a bit more. It gave us a goal and something to strive for.''
The national championships and the Masters Games are two of the few places they can do the classical sequence in New Zealand.
''It's a disciplined dance,'' Warren said.
''It's an honour to be recognised as the best. Winning a national title makes you feel that all the effort you have put in has been worthwhile.''
The pair enjoyed dancing in the Dunedin Town Hall.
''It's such a beautiful old building,'' Sally said.
''Christchurch hasn't got many of those left after the earthquakes.''
The oldest dancer on the floor was Doreen Carey (83), of Christchurch, who has danced with Walter Stryder for the past five years.
Carey (nee White) danced seriously from the age of 20 to 25 and was the New Zealand ballroom champion in her early 20s.
''I didn't dance for 48 years,'' Carey said.
''I came back after my husband died and just did social dancing for a start. Walter's partner gave up and he asked me to dance with him.''
Carey has always kept herself fit.
''When I wasn't doing ballroom dancing I always did lots of exercise. I do Tai Chi and a keep fit class.''
