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The defeat of Nga Puhi by Ngati Whatua in the battle of Moremonui, at Maunganui Bluff, in 1807 or 1808, was an important event in Hongi's early life. Pokaia, the uncle of Hone Heke, had been at war with Te Roroa and two closely related Ngati Whatua hapu for a long period. Although some Nga Puhi were armed with muskets, Murupaenga, leader of Ngati Whatua, successfully ambushed them, taking advantage of the time they needed to reload their weapons. Pokaia was killed, together with the fathers of Te Whareumu, Manu (Rewa) and Te Koikoi, and two of Hongi's brothers. Hongi and Te Koikoi saved themselves by hiding in a swamp. At nightfall they and a handful of others were able to escape. After this battle Hongi appears to have succeeded Pokaia as war leader. These experiences left Hongi with an obligation and strong personal wish to avenge the Nga Puhi defeat. In campaigns against Te Roroa, Te Rarawa and Te Aupouri in the north he became convinced of the usefulness of the new muskets, if employed in sufficient numbers. By 1815 Hongi was the undisputed leader of his people. His oldest brother, Kaingaroa, born to their father's first wife, Waitohirangi, died in that year.
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