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A Dunedin family who lost their brother in the Erebus tragedy says Saturday's memorial ceremony has finally given them the comfort they have waited 30 years for.
While the Lucas siblings were not at Antarctica on Saturday it was the first time they had been able to mark their brother's death with the airline and other victim's families.
First officer Graham Lucas was among the 257 people who lost their lives on the flight 30 years ago.
His brother and two sisters journeyed up from Dunedin to remember him and sitting with strangers was the first time they had ever met those who know and share their pain.
"To be with others was very comforting and I think as a family felt that closure was at last with us after 30 years," says Joan Galbraith, Lucas' sister.
The most comfort for them was being able to hear Air New Zealand's repeated apology.
"We undeniably made mistakes," says Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline, Ed Sims.
Lucas' other sister Beverly Moyle says there has been a gap since the tragedy and that Air New Zealand has made the right move to try and make up for the lack of attention early on.
Many at the ceremony were moved and grateful for something else the airline offered them.
The families were taken to a private room where they heard for the first time from police and search and rescue teams who recovered their loved ones bodies and they were able to ask them questions they had waited 30 years to hear.
"It's like closure, it's not just hearsay, it's the truth," says Galbraith.
Their loss was not only documented but now acknowledged by the airline.
