Te Ika-a-ranga-nui
Koriwhai of Ngapuhi, had been murdered by some members of the Ngati-Whatua and Ngati-Maru tribes. This murder bought back memories of the defeat that Ngapuhi had suffered at Moremonui. So Hongi Hika decided to help Te Whareumu, to whom Koriwhai was related, and at the same time use the opportunity to wipe out their warlike neighbours of the Kaipara. So Ngapuhi assembled under Hongi Hika 500 strong and after the usual haka, the taua (war party) proceeded by way of the Mangakahia Valley. With them was the Roroa chief, Te Hihi-o-tote who was related to Ngapuhi and to Ngati-Whatua. Te Hihi managed to stop Hongi Hika from destroying his relatives by presenting the warrior with a fine old mere (greenstone weapon). Hongi turned back and when Te Whareumu found out, he was very angry and immediately set out to sea with his own taua. He landed at Mangawhai with nearly 200 men and marched inland to confront the enemy. Meanwhile Hongi Hika had started out again with 300 warriors overland, within this party were many different chiefs of Ngapuhi, including Te Ahu, Patuone, Nene, Te Morenga and others.
The battle was fought in open land near a stream called Waimako, close to Kaiwaka.
The Ngapuhi taua, led by Te Whareumu and Hongi Hika were armed with many muskets and Hongi must have looked impressive in his suit of armour, given to him by King George IV, on the other side of the field were the Ngati Whatua tribe and allies, numbering over a 1,000 men, though they lacked the firepower of the Ngapuhi combine. On spotting their rivals, the Ngati Whatua launched a full assault met by Te Whareumu and his tribe, the fighting was fierce and bloody and just when it looked like the superior numbers of Ngati Whatua would overwhelm them, in came Hongi Hika, the guns blazed unmercifully and Ngati Whatua retreated to the forest edge, but they were rallied again by an old chief and once more charged the Ngapuhi ranks, only to die in a rain of bullets. Then Te Whareumu and Hongi charged the Ngati Whatua lines and the slaughter commenced, the bodies of over 700 Ngati Whatua and their allies were spread all over the field and the remaining survivors fled for their lives, being chased all the way by members of Ngapuhi. The slaughter was so great that the Waimako stream ran red with blood and while Ngati Whatua suffered large losses, Ngapuhi also lost several chiefs including Te Ahu, Te Puhi, Hare Hongi (Hongi Hikas son). As the triumphant victors returned home they saw enemy heads stuck on posts by celebrating members and one captured woman was eaten at a certain point by members of Patuone and Nenes hapu, this was the last time those two participated in the eating of human flesh, such was the bloody nature of the time. Te Whareumu was well satisfied with his utu (revenge) but Hongi Hika went straight into another fight with Ngati Pou at Whangaroa.
Read more about this topic: Te Whareumu