The Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki upoko was clearly feeling the effects of a recent operation, but he put that aside to welcome more than 50 people at the historic Pa a Te Wera on the Huriawa peninsula near Karitane and consecrate a newly erected pou (carved post) last week.
For Mr Ellison, it was a momentous day.
He said the East Otago taiapure management committee had imposed voluntary restrictions on fishing during the past two years, prompted by concerns about declining fish stocks.
However, new Ministry of Fisheries regulations limiting catch levels came into effect on Friday which would help ensure the long-term sustainability of resources in the taiapure, which includes the fishery from Potato Point in the south to Cornish Head in the north.
