Whitmore sought Ropata's assistance for a campaign against Titokowaru, another rebel chief, in the Wanganui area, on the opposite coast of the North Island. Ropata declined to join; he, along with Donald McLean and Karaitiana Takamoana, the Ngāti Kahungunu "rangatira", felt that Te Kooti remained a threat to the East Cape region and did not want to see the area and his people defenceless. The Minister of Colonial Defence, Theodore Haultain, and the Prime Minister, Edward Stafford, both felt that McLean, who did not like Whitmore, influenced Ropata's decision. When Whitmore found that Ropata and his men were unavailable, he expressed regret, considering them the "the bravest "hapu" of the best bush tribe in New Zealand". Some within Ngāti Porou were critical of Ropata's decision and proceeded to join Whitmore in his campaign.