 In 1856 he joined is elder half-brother Karaitiana Takamoana in an attempt to bridle the rate at which land was being sold by Te Hapuku, another powerful Māori leader from the same area.Eventually their attempt led to open conflict, and between 1857-58 Tomoana fought against Te Hapuku in a war at Te Pakiaka, near Whakatu.During this time he accrued large debts to European store owners, and was forced to lease or sell land to repay what he had owed.