pursue them. Aftermath Ngāpuhi acknowledged the death of 150 of their party of 500, but other reports of their loss ranged up to 300. Among the dead were Hongi Hika's older brother Houwawe, his half-brother Hau Moka, and his sister Waitapu, whose body was mutilated to symbolise stopping the line of descent. Hongi Hika himself escaped, as did Kawiti, another Ngāpuhi leader, due to Tāoho's restraint in stopping further pursuit. So numerous were the bodies left on the beach and eaten by gulls, the battle was called Te Kai a te Karoro (the Feast of the Black-backed Gull). This battle is also known as Te Haerenga-o-te-one (the Marking of the sand), named after Te Uri O Hau chief, Tieke's act of drawing a line in the sand. Although only a small number of firearms were used, Moremonui could reasonably be called the first battle of the Musket Wars, as a thirst for utu (justice through revenge) motivated Hongi Hika's campaigns against the Ngāti Whātua over the next twenty years. References External links Monument Kaipara District Moremonui Musket Wars 1800s in New Zealand Māori intertribal wars