Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis is calling for absolute clarification from Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi about whether it contributed to a recent trip to Southland for its chairperson, Sonny Tau.
Sonny Tau Photo: Facebook
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Mr Tau made the journey to apologise to local iwi for taking kereru.
Mr Davis said he hoped the tribal exchange didn't cost Ngapuhi anything. He added that any money the runanga had spare should go to toward improving the lives of those in Ngapuhi.
Radio New Zealand has contacted Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi but the tribe's communications leader, Reuben Wharawhara, declined to comment.
In June, Mr Tau was caught with kereru in his possession and early this month he was charged under the Wildlife Act.
There have been 56 successful convictions for the hunting and possession of protected wildlife since 1987.
Mr Tau is due to appear in the Invercargill District Court on 24 July.