Sonny Tau denies killing Kereru

Sonny Tau has been charged with killing or hunting a protected species and another of unlawfully being in possession of protected wildlife. Photo / John Stone

Ngapuhi elder Sonny Tau has admitted possessing five Kereru but has denied hunting or killing the protected species.

He appeared in the Invercargill District Court today.

The 61-year-old has had his case remanded to a review hearing in September but been excused from attending that.

Tau, 61, was found with a number of Kereru at Invercargill Airport in June.

He's been charged with killing or hunting a protected species and another of unlawfully being in possession of protected wildlife.

Since the incident, Tau, 61, stood aside from his position of chairman of Tuhoronuku, the body recognised as having mandate to negotiate the Ngapuhi Treaty Settlement.

The maximum penalty for taking a protected species is a fine of up to $100,000 or two years in prison.