The head carver for Waikato-Tainui is examining a bronze sculpture depicting the head of the first Maori King, Potatau Te Wherowhero.
The bust was made by the New Zealand-born artist, Gary Schofield who is based in Washington DC, working on the bust in the 1980s
The current Maori King Tuheitia Paki - expected to decide on bust of first king. Photo: AFP
Since the bust was completed it had been stored in this country, out of the public eye.
Schofield met with the current Maori King, Tuheitia, and the deputy mayor of Hamilton, Gordon Chesterman on Friday.
The Maori King's office said the work would be gifted to the people of Hamilton.
But it said the bust had been given to the head tribal carver to check the markings or tamoko designs, before a decision about where it should be housed was made.
A spokesperson says its preference was for the sculpture to be housed at the Council Chambers, where it can keep an eye on decision-makers.
But a final decision will be made after the bust has considered by the head tohunga whakairo.
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