In 2007, when Ms Clarke obtained an exhumation permit from the Ministry of Health, the Takamore whanau said they would resist any attempt to remove Mr Takamore's remains. A police source said at the time that some officers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty would be unwilling to have any part in a forced exhumation. "At the end of the day, most of us would actually refuse on cultural grounds," the source said.
A police national headquarters spokesman said yesterday: "We will definitely enforce the law." However, he said all efforts to reach an amicable agreement should be exhausted first.
Ms Clarke's lawyer Gary Knight said having police go on to the marae to ensure an exhumation took place was a last resort.
Mr Ferguson said the option of asking the Supreme Court to further consider the issue still existed, and would not be unreasonable when such important issues were at stake.
But Mr Knight said he doubted the court would grant leave for any further appeal.