Ngai Tahu are celebrating 10 years since settling their Treaty of Waitangi claim with the Crown in Kaikoura.
Among the guests was King Tuheitia, who made his way down from the Waikato to join the celebrations marking 10 years of progress.
When the settlement was finally signed on the Takahanga Marae in 1998, the South Island tribe received $170 million from the Crown to help rebuild an impoverished tribe and to build a better tomorrow for its members.
At the time, the Crown admitted it had failed Ngai Tahu in land sales dating back to the 1840s.
"The Crown acknowledges that it acted unconscionably and in repeated breach of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in its dealings with Ngai Tahu," said former PM Jenny Shipley at the time.
The Crown also offered a full apology.
"The Crown expresses its profound regret and apologises unreservedly for the suffering and hardship caused to Ngai Tahu and for the harmful effects that resulted to the welfare, economy and the development of Ngai Tahu as a tribe."
A decade on Ngai Tahu has built a strong base to finance members into the future. The tribe has moved into tourism by investing in fishing and property, and trebling its worth to over half a billion dollars.
The tribe continues to aim high.
"I'm pretty confident we'll get to the billion by 2015," says Mark Solomon, Kai Whakahaere Ngai Tahu.
Returns are now being ploughed back into health, education and
culture with $23 million last year to help communities.
Touted as one of Ngai Tahu's success stories, their Whai Rawa
Savings Scheme was launched a few years ago with 14,000 members,
and more continue to sign up.
"You've got to be hopeful and feel good about what you've done with friends, colleagues, relations and your lifetime," says Sir Tipene O'Regan, Ngai Tahu.
The iwi claims covered 80% of South Island land, both urban and rural.
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