66 T'ransactions. 



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 sj)are 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 

 Muaupoko 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 Wanganniatera 

 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 Ngatikahungunu, 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 w^ords 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 Ngatitoa, of Rangatira, 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. 



