in november 1865 an attack by the hauhau was feared. hms "esk" was sent to fetch potae, ropata, and mokena and 260 ngāti porou warriors from tokomaru bay. they were landed at poverty bay on 9 november, and, on the same day, 100 forest rangers, under major fraser, arrived from waiapu. the mission at waerenga-ā-hika became a battle ground. after the hauhau were defeated, te kooti and his supporters were sent to the chatham islands, however they escaped and returned to the east coast. fighting began all over again. potae and his warriors participated in the pursuit of te kooti. an expedition, which started from poverty bay in june 1871, was divided into four companies of 50 men, each of which could work independently if necessary. the leaders were potae, ropata wahawaha, captain porter and ruka aratapu. potae participated in the action on 1 september 1871 when the expedition surrounded te kooti's camp at te hapua, although te kooti escaped.