A Ngapuhi elder is considering closing the Waitangi Marae on Waitangi Day to protest Archive New Zealand's refusal to send the Treaty of Waitangi home.

A request made by the Waitangi National Trust to display the country's founding document at the National Museum of Waitangi's opening exhibitions was declined by Archive New Zealand.

It decided the document was too fragile to subject to the risks of long distance transport.

Ngapuhi Kaumatua Kingi Taurua says that's not a legitimate excuse and the government should be looking at doing anything they can to get the treaty back to Waitangi.

Mr Taurua says the decision is disappointing and he will be meeting with iwi to discuss the possibility of closing Te Tii Marae in protest.