A Wellington woman is vowing to fight after her husband's body was forcibly taken from their home by his whānau, to be buried at his Northland marae.
Tommy Murray, who was 54, had a heart problem and died suddenly last week.
His wife, Sara Murray, opened the doors of their Naenae home so whānau could join her and her teenage daughters to grieve with his body.
Her spokesperson told RNZ's Māori news Director Māni Dunlop that things turned ugly on Sunday night when the Northland whānau lifted Tommy Murray's lidless coffin and took him from the house - twice almost dropping him out.
The whānau drove Tommy Murray back to Whangapē where he was buried.
The spokesperson says this was his worst nightmare.
Sara Murray tried to talk to the whānau but they didn't listen because she is Pākehā - though she understands tikanga Māori.
Sara Murray wants the police to press charges and is seeking legal advice to get her husband's body back.
The Murray whānau has been contacted for comment.
