She said one of its members, Professor Te Wharehuia Milroy, was unwell and sorry not to be there.
The others were all pleased to be back among people they had got to know during hearings and visits from 2006-09.
There were a total of 327 briefs of evidence for the Whanganui region's 83 land claims, with more than 200 of them spoken to in person.
The research had many memorable moments.
Judge Wainwright remembered how Professor Milroy stopped a bus out for a site visit, because she had noticed some horse mushrooms on an Atihau Whanganui Incorporation farm.
"Stop the bus! The judge wants the mushrooms," he shouted.
On another site visit she was "rudely dislodged from the back of a galloping horse" and had a head injury.
"ACC didn't have that down as a risk for Waitangi Tribunal judges."
The report was long but well indexed, to make it easier for people to find what they wanted.
It was called He Whiritaunoka after a knot Hori Kingi Te Anaua made in a piece of native broom in 1865, while he was on a mission upriver to restore peace and unity.
"We hope that all parties will use our report to work constructively together towards settlement, and a new era," Judge Wainwright said.
Four special matapihi (windows) in the report look at Pakaitore/Moutoa Gardens, the spelling of the name Wanganui, the land where Waikune Prison was and the Maori land interests of Mere Kuao.
It also highlights 30 other issues throughout the region and makes recommendations to the Crown for resolving them.
It said that in the 1840s Whanganui block sale the Crown took twice as much land as it purported to, and limited the number of reserves.
The Waimarino purchase was "hurried, penny-pinching and involving the illegal purchase of children's interests".
The tribunal recommended the Crown return title of Whanganui National Park to Maori, and give them a major management role.
Judge Wainwright said Whanganui Maori continued to live in a deprived state, with little control over matters that affect them. They had too little say in the management of Whanganui National Park or in the spelling of words in their own language.
The tribunal urged Government to enter into a settlement that would support iwi aspirations, and also stimulate economic growth in the region.
The formal handover of the reports was done according to Whanganui tikanga (custom).
It was preceded by a poipoi whakapapa, led by Whakataumatatanga (Bernard) Mareikura, in which the names of many ancestors were recited, to the rhythm of poi.
After the reports were given out there was a song, and a spontaneous haka from a small group of men.
Receiving the report, Tupoho spokesman Ken Mair said it was excellent and would give future generations a clear understanding of the Crown's wrongs.
"This is part of the journey. What we are looking for is peace and justice. With this report it's only just around the corner."
Nga Tangata Tiaki chairman Gerrard Albert said he had only had a brief look at the report, but it appeared to be comprehensive and thorough and was "beyond expectations".
Many during the morning mentioned those who had worked toward the land settlement but died before the report came out. At the head of the paepae were photographs of some of them - Jim Takarangi, Morvin Simon and Dardanella Mete Kingi Mato.
Tupoho kaumatua John Maihi particularly missed Piripi Haami.
"The greatest sadness in my heart is that he isn't sitting on that table there, and I cry for him because of the work that he has done."
He said He Whiritaunoka was the tribes' third important report, after the report for the mountain and the report for the river.
"Now we have got the report for the whenua [land]. We have probably got one more, the Whanganui Maori National Park."
Ken Clarke, one of the report's researchers, said the report had been a long time coming, and seven elders from his Kaiwhaiki Marae had died in the meantime. He hoped settlement could proceed quickly.
Hokio Ngataierua-Tinirau from Taumarunui said there had been many talks between his old people and the Crown.
"We are waiting for what they heard, and this is the reason why we have come."
Others, including Paora Haitana, Mariana Waitai and Cedric Nepia, were keen to get negotiations for the land settlement started.
They are already under way for Ruapehu iwi Ngati Rangi.
"It's awesome to get to this stage. We've still got a way to go but now at least we're making headway," Mr Nepia said.
Tamahaki Council of Hapu chairman Paora Toho was less enthusiastic. He said he had reservations about the way the inquiry was conducted, because his iwi was not consulted over Whanganui National Park.
