Believing these to be the prophesied reinforcement, they rushed down to welcome their friends.

Cruelly were they undeceived as the canoes of Te Waharoa and his Tauranga allies shot on to the beach.

Short was the struggle.

Only two of the Ngapuhi were spared, and as the blind soothsayer's blood was too sacred to be shed, the victors pounded him to death with their fists.

Never again did the Ngapuhi come southwards.