Uaaterangi, the whole of the Ngapuhi party was massacred, including Te Whareonga, the captives being liberated. The victims of this wholesale slaughter were hanged on the pohutukawa trees at Kopuakoeaea. Te Uaaterangi was greatly distressed at this turn of events. He realised that through the indiscretion of one of his subordinates his dreams of a lasting peace were shattered. To him it was the beginning of the end. Accordingly he with his people repaired to Tokaakuku and anticipating rightly that the relatives of the hapless victims who had suffered death at their hands, would retaliate mercilessly, they carried provisions in the form of kumaras, dried fish, etc. into the pa in quantities sufficient to last them for months. News of the massacre soon spread. The Ngapuhi, aware of the almost inaccessible nature of the Apanui stronghold, sought the assistance of the Ngati Porou and Kahungunu people, which culminated in the formation of a powerful alliance. The allied tribes occupied two adjacent pas, one on either side of Tokaakuku. The pa situated on the eastern side of Tokaakuku is now known as Wharekura and was occupied by Ngatiporou, while the western one served as a retreat for the Northerners. By this time a foreign ship had anchored out of the Tokaakuku point and became friendly to the local tribes. Its crew later married into Whanau Apanui. Te Uaaterangi named his nephew after the Captain of this ship (Thompson). The Apanui people had acquired muskets from these mariners and I was told they in turn took part in the defence of Tokaokuku Pa. For approximately twelve months the combined forces laid siege upon the Apanui, but in spite of superior numbers, the defenders held their own. (No te Ngahuni i tae mai ai, a, no te Ngahuni ano i rere ai.) Interesting to relate, the Ngapuhi employed tactics used by Hongi Hika at Rotorua in dragging their canoes overland from the point where they were stationed to the Wharekura Pa. This was done owing to the fact that to join their allies they could not get past Te Kaha point as the Apanui fleet was too formidable. The Apanui replenished their provisions during the night and by canoes which went to Torere via White Island. The Ngapuhi were no match for the Apanui on the waters. Wiremu Kingi (named after the King of his Pakeha allies) Te Mango Kai Tipua was in command of the home fleet and was responsible for several victories. The spirit of the defenders, although many died of fever and extreme starvation, was maintained through Karakia chanted by Te Uaaterangi's brother-in-law, who was then the High Priest, the sole defender of Te Ruataniwha Pa at the mouth of Te Kereu river, which was hidden by the early morning mist during Ngapuhi's first raid. This is only a brief story from inside. My uncle “Ngamotu Tu Kaki” of Te Kaha may elaborate more fully on the raid and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defence of Tokaakuku Pa. (Te Whanau-a-Tama-tamaarangi was the responsible hapu.)