Te Kooti fought for the government in the New Zealand Wars before being exiled to the Chatham Islands on charges of espionage. On the Chathams he founded the Ringatu church, later escaping back to the main land where he fought a long guerilla war against government forces.
The East Coast military leader and prophet was deported with Pai Marire prisoners to the Chatham Islands. He had been accused of spying for the enemy while fighting with government troops.
Te Kooti and 300 of his followers captured the schooner Rifleman and sailed for New Zealand. The fugitives landed at Whareongaonga, just south of Poverty Bay, six days later.
