The bones of legendary Ngapuhi chief Hone Heke will be reburied at the end of August, David Rankin, a kaumatua of the Ngapuhi hapu Te Matarahurahu says.
Mr Rankin, who is a direct descendent of Hone Heke, took the great chief's bones from their resting place near Pakaraka two years ago because of sewerage seeping into the site from nearby septic tanks.
But last month Ngati Hine elder Erima Henare raised the possibility that Mr Rankin took the wrong bones, claiming Heke's remains were sealed into the cave with concrete two decades ago.
However, Mr Rankin said the bones were definitely those of his ancestor and said others were trying to muscle in on the event. He said the remains were now ready for reinterment at a sacred site near Kaikohe on August 31.
"The carved casket has been prepared, and the karakia have been said for the remains of our ancestor. They have been wrapped in flax and sealed in the casket, ready for their burial," Mr Rankin said. "Our goal is to ensure that our ancestor's remains will rest where they cannot ever be disturbed again. This is the proper thing to do according to our tikanga."