66 Transactions. 
upon their arrival the enemy fled, but without being pursued. In con- 
sequence of this attack, Rauparaha and Rangihaeata became (to use the words 
of Matene Te Whiwhi) “dark in their hearts in regard to Ngatiapa,” and 
resolved to spare no efforts to destroy them, as well as the remnants of 
Rangitane and Muaupoko. 
Rauparaha had, of course, become aware of the defeat of Whatanui and 
the Ngatiraukawa in their attempt to reach Kapiti by the East Coast, but 
immediately after the departure of the Ngatiawa he had sent emissaries to 
Taupo, in order again to urge upon the chiefs to join him in the occupation of 
the country he had conquered. In the meantime, however, a storm was 
brewing which threatened utterly to destroy him and his people. Ratu, the 
Muatipoko chief who had been enslaved by Te Pehi, escaped from Kapiti and 
fled to the Middle Island. Being anxious to avenge the destruction of his 
tribe, he proceeded to organize an alliance between the tribes occupying the 
southern shores of Cook Strait and those which held the country from Patea 
to Rangitikei, on the North, and the Ngatikahungunu at Wanganuiatera 
and Wairarapa, on the South, for the purpose of attacking Rauparaha with a 
force, which, in point of numbers, at least, should be irresistible. In the 
formation of the desired alliance he was completely successful, and about the 
end of the fourth year after the first arrival of the Ngatitoa, nearly 2,000 
warriors assembled between Otaki and Waikanae, consisting of Ngarauru, 
from Waitotara ; the people of Patea, Wanganui, Wangaehu, Turakina and 
Rangitikei, the Rangitane of Manawatu, and the } gatikahungunu, Ngatiapa, 
Ngatitumatakokiri, Rangitane and Ngatihuia, from the Middle Island. They 
were provided with ample means of transport, “the sea on the occasion of: 
of their attack,” to use the words of my informant, who was present on the 
occasion, “being covered with canoes, one wing reaching Kapiti from Otaki, 
whilst the other started almost simultaneously from Waikanae.” The landing 
of the warriors composing the right wing was effected about four in the 
morning, but the alarm having already been given by the chief Nopera, who 
had discovered and notified their approach, the invaders were at once attacked 
by the Ngutitoa, of Rangativa, with great fury, whilst messengers were at the 
same time despatched to Taepiri, where Rauparaha lay with the bulk of his 
people, to inform him of the invasion. Before he could reach the scene of the 
conflict, however, the enemy had succeeded in pushing the Ngatitoa towards 
Waiorua, at the northern end of the Island. Pokaitara, who was in 
command, being desirous of gaining time in order to admit of the arrival of 
reinforcements, proposed a truce to the enemy, which was granted by 
Rangimairehau, a Ngatiapa chief, by whom they were led, who hoped, on his 
side, during the truce, to be able to land the rest of his forces, and then 
effectually to crush the Ngatitoa. Shortly after the truce had been agreed to, 
