Ngati-Toa Defeated at Wai-Kanae.
? 1824.

To quote Mr. Travers again, "It appears, however, that the Ngati-Apa at Rangi-tikei, incensed at the slaughter of their three chiefs at Hotu-iti, determined to avenge their deaths, and for this purpose had collected a considerable war-party, which was readily joined by refugees from Hotu-iti and by a number of the Mua-upoko from Horowhenua. Led by Te Hakeke (of the Ngati-Apa tribe) they fell upon the Ngati-Toa at Wai-kanae during the night, killing upwards of sixty of them, including many women and children—amongst the latter being Te Rangi-hiroa and three other daughters of Te Pehi-kupe, Pahi-taka, etc. At the commencement of the attack a canoe was despatched to Kapiti for reinforcements, which were at once sent, and upon their arrival the enemy fled, but without being pursued." These events occurred at Whare-mauku and Uru-hira at Wai-kanae. Toata of Mua-upoko was the last of his tribe killed at Wai-kanae—he fell in a swamp. The remnant of the tribe retreated up the Wai-kanae river and there built a small pa on a point of land defended on two sides by the river whilst the other was palisaded. It is called to this day "Te pa o Te Toata."

"In consequence of this attack Te Rau-paraha and Te Rangi-haeata became (to use the words of Matene Te Whiwhi) 'dark in their hearts in regard to Ngati-Apa,' and resolved to spare no efforts to destroy them as well as the remnant of Rangi-tane and Mua-upoko. Te Rau-paraha had, of course, become aware of the defeat of Te Whata-nui (of Ngati-Rau-kawa) in their attempt to reach Kapiti by the East Coast; but immediately after the departure of Ati-Awa for Taranaki (just after the Horo-whenua massacre) he had sent further emissaries to Taupo (? Maunga-tautari) in order to again urge upon the chiefs of Ngati-Rau-kawa to join him in the occupation of the country he had conquered."

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"In the meantime, however, a storm was "brewing that threatened utterly to destroy him and his people."