By Natasha Utting
Flash mobs are surprise public dance events where members of the public appear to spontaneously join each other in a performance, which has in fact been choreographed.
They've been used in popular TV shows and as advertising gimmicks, but somewhere, when you least expect it, you might be lucky enough to experience a very special flash mob - the oldest flash mob in the world.
They say life speeds up as the years march on, but some Waiheke Island seniors have no trouble keeping pace with it - its just a matter of keeping in time
Yes, at Waiheke Island they are swapping their knitting for hip hop lessons. Well, 96-year-old Violet Hollis is fitting hip hop practise in around her knitting schedule.
Every Tuesday for the last two months, the over-65s have been learning their moves in the village hall. They've signed up to become the Lifemark Flashmob, the oldest surprise dance troupe in the world.
Flash mobs are surprise performances in a public space, and at some point in August when the workers and shoppers of Auckland least expect it, the dance troupe will appear out of the crowd and bust some moves.
No auditions were held. No judgement was passed on whether anyone could walk, let alone dance.
The Lifemark Flashmob is all about drawing attention to the elderly's growing need for purpose-built housing.
It is sponsored by the Lifemark Seal of Approval, which is awarded to homes built to specific design standards… but you get the feeling the Waiheke crowd is just doing it to be audacious.
They hope that the performance itself will, like other flash mob events, go viral on the internet – although the concept of 'going viral' might be a bit of stretch for some nonagenarians.
Watch the video to see them in action.