A Ngapuhi man is gobsmacked with how artefacts he lent to the new Waitangi Museum have been treated and is threatening to get Police involved if they're not returned.
Last year David Rankin lent an axe and a god-stick associated with his ancestor, Hone Heke, to historian Claudia Orange for the museum.
Mr Rankin said the artefacts are taonga and proper cultural curation processes has not been followed.
"We as a a hapu have been treated like a one night stand, or a hooker. Once they've got what they want, then it's 'haere ra e hoa'."
He said they've got until February 12th to return the artefacts.
"If they don't I will be following the process through and I will make sure that I barbeque the Waitangi National Trust."
An axe loaned by the hapu Te Matarahurahu of Ngapuhi to the new museum at Waitangi. Photo / David Rankin
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