Assistant District Governor Chris Burrows said Mr Foster was one of the organisation's longest-serving members, while at the other end of the spectrum the evening was notable for the induction of two newcomers, Roberta Murray and Tony Yates.
Mr Foster had made his mark, he added, by constantly wearing a big smile and with his "big, warm laugh".
He also presented him with a letter of congratulations from Rotary International president Sakuji Tanaka, who described his achievement as a reflection of his dedication to Rotary and the satisfaction he had found through Rotary service.
"The length of your service speaks of the depth of your commitment," he added.
Mr Erceg also presented him with a plaque, noting his contribution had exemplified the motto of "Service before self".
When he was permitted to speak Mr Foster recalled that his first official role as a Rotarian had been that of keeper of the banners, which he had been expected to display before each meeting (in the bowling club pavilion in Matthews' Avenue) and to pack them away again later.
The unwavering support of his late wife Judy had allowed him to do all he had done over the years, while had made and kept many good Rotary friends.
Graham Sanders and Trevor Brake, with whom he had founded the Probus Club, were remembered with particular affection.
Earlier he recalled that when he joined, at the tender age of 35, Kaitaia Rotary had 42 members. By the end of that year it had grown to 50, and reached its peak of 64 in 1973, when he was president.
And how much had he put into the fines box over the past half-century?
"Megabucks," he said, with a big smile and a big warm laugh.
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Mr Foster's contribution to Kaitaia Rotary is far from over. In 2004 he wrote a history of the club to mark its first 50 years, and he was planning to add a second volume next year to cover the ensuing decade, "If I'm still here and I've got my marbles".
