After the volcanic eruption at Mount Tarawera and Lake Rotomahana of 10 June 1886, Alfred and his brothers Arthur and Joe joined the rescue operations. Alfred established himself as a local guide, and worked in this capacity for the next few years. He also contested the Eastern Maori electorate in the 1887 election and came third of four candidates. He never accepted that the Pink and White Terraces at Lake Rotomahana were destroyed, and become involved in the public debates concerning their fate. In 1903 he was appointed as head guide of the trip to Waimangu Geyser - then the largest geyser in the world - organised by Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. On 30 August 1903, the geyser suddenly erupted killing Joe and three other tourists in vicinity.