Three generations of Mr Diver's family reunited for a tour of the Rainbow Confectionery Ltd factory in Thames St to mark the occasion, and reaffirm the family's love of the confectionery.
Mr Diver's daughter Nancy Bell, of Oamaru, said it was ''lovely'' to see her father's creation being recognised ''back where it all started''.
Although the lollies were ''ten a penny'' when she was growing up, there was also a downside during her father's early attempts to refine the recipe, Mrs Bell said .
''At the end of the day, he would come back with bags full of the rejects.''
John Diver, of Lake Ohau, said he ''vividly'' remembered seeing his father working in the Oamaru factory.
''I remember Dad was boiling up these great whale pots of lollies.''
Peter Diver said lollies would be given to him every night by his father.
''That was when he was trying the hardness out and developing the flavour and testing out the chocolate.''
Early efforts tasted like ''coffee beans'', before his father hit the perfect recipe, he said.
Granddaughter Cindy Diver, of Dunedin, said the whole family was ''very proud'' of her grandfather's achievements and added it was ''family tradition'' to always keep Pineapple Chunks in the freezer.
She declined to give an autograph on that occasion, but said it was fitting the Regina company had put a picture of Charles Diver on the packet of the latest batch of Pineapple Chunks.
''We have always been very proud of him and it's fitting to see him acknowledged.''
After almost a 20-year absence, manufacture of Regina Pineapple Chunks returned to the Rainbow Confectionery factory just three weeks ago, and Regina range sales and marketing manager Simon Williams said, although the original recipe had been ''tinkered with'' a little, the spirit of the original lived on.
''New Zealand's affection for unique home-grown lollies is never more evident than when we lose a few. So our mission is to make lollies for Kiwis by Kiwis and bring back the fun.''
