The National Party's Arts, Culture and Heritage spokesperson says senior Te Papa staff should pay out the cost of their travel to a turtle funeral

Te Papa staff went to the funeral in Canterbury after it was returned from Te Papa in Wellington.

The burial was a catered event with a coffin made especially for the giant leatherback turtle which had washed ashore in Canterbury.

Simon O'Connor says it's unacceptable to use taxpayers money like this.

Mr O'Connor says it's especially wasteful with the public sector pay freeze in place.