Ropata settled at Waiōmatatini and constructed a "marae" (meeting house) there, calling it Porourangi. An advocate for education, when a school was established at Waiōmatatini in 1871, he was its chairman. He would fine parents whose children did not attend the school without good reason. Conscious of his own inability in the language, he particularly urged teaching of English to Māori students. He became a land agent for the Government, facilitating the sale or leasing of Ngāti Porou land. This saw much of his "iwi"'s land being leased, ensuring it remained in Ngāti Porou hands in the long term. He particularly encouraged the use of the Native Land Court to settle disputes. He also took up sheep farming. In his later years, his herd numbered over 2,400 sheep.