The body of a man taken by his family and buried in the Bay of Plenty against his partner's wishes could be returned to Christchurch as early as August.
James Takamore's body was due to be buried in Christchurch in 2007, where he had lived with his family for 20 years, when his Tuhoe whanau took his body and buried it in a Bay of Plenty cemetery.
In 2012 after a five-year legal battle, the Supreme Court ruled that his partner Denise Clarke could bury him where she chooses.
Ms Clarke, who is also mother of their two children, expects Mr Takamore's body to return to Christchurch shortly and hopes to bury it on 17 August - the seventh anniversary of his death.
Ms Clarke said it was still unclear if she would collect him or his whanau would bring him to the South Island city.
The Bay of Plenty whanau will meet with the marae committee on 1 July to finalise dates and details.
