Sonny Tau has been charged after he was caught with five dead kereru when boarding a flight from Invercargill to Northland.

The Department of Conservation today laid charges in the Invercargill District Court against the 61 year old for the alleged hunting and possession of a protected species under the Wildlife Act.

The Ngapuhi leader is facing two charges in respect to the killing and possession of kereru.

The maximum penalty is a $100 thousand dollar fine and/or imprisonment of two years.