Organisers of the annual Sir Apirana Ngata Memorial Lectures say a highlight of this year's event - held in Ruatoria on Monday - was the address given by Sir Tamati Reedy.
Sir Tamati, a Maori educationist, conceived the idea of the annual lectures in 1983 when he was teaching in the United States.
Monty Soutar, who acted as MC this week, says tribal leadership was the theme for the eight lectures.
He says Sir Tamati, in his address, suggested those present should reflect on the lessons Sir Apirana left for Maori: they should be passionate about history and their iwi, be committed, and be willing to take the knocks that come from working with Maori.
Mr Soutar says Sir Tamati's lasting message was that the best tribal scholars are those who take the knocks but get back on their feet and carry on.
