 Brunner 's constitution was considerably impaired by his exertions and his health never fully returned . Despite this , after a period of recovery he set out in November 1848 with three companions , including Kehu , to discover a quicker route between Nelson and Wairau . This involved travelling the paths of the Maitai and Wairoa Rivers to their headwaters . The weather was poor throughout the six @-@ week trip and Brunner was in discomfort for much of the ultimately unsuccessful venture , which determined that the existing route to Wairau was the fastest . 
