 Then in 1868, he took command of a contingent of Māori troops from the Heretaunga-Tamatea region and supported the government's pursuit of Te Kooti up the Ruakituri River toward Wairoa.In December 1868 he fought at the Battle of Makaretu, helping to repel Te Kooti's incursion into the Poverty Bay area.In 1869, Tomoana again led troops in pursuit of Te Kooti, who was now being pursued in the area around Taupo.