Over the following months, Tūhoe envoys carried out peace negotiations with some of Te Kooti's allies in the Urewera country. A sticking point was security from repercussions launched by Te Kooti if peace was made. The prospect of a Ngāti Porou garrison force moving into the Urewera country for protection was raised by McLean with Ropata. This required a daily payment to Ngāti Porou participants since the purpose was not the capture of Te Kooti, and thus there was no bounty available. Ropata took a party of 170 warriors to the Urewera country in mid-January 1871. Despite no bounty being on offer for the capture of Te Kooti, Ropata decided to go by way of the Waimana valley to look for him. It was rumoured he was hiding there. Two weeks of fruitless searching followed before they proceeded to Maungapohatu, as a "rangitara" had advised Ropata that it would be better to pacify the Tūhoe there. This was achieved and he proceeded east, continuing to look for Te Kooti. A follower of his was captured, who provided useful intelligence and led them to Te Kooti's "pā". Although he was not there, another key follower of his was captured and food supplies were destroyed. Ropata's expedition ended in April and they returned to Tūranga, worn out from the weeks of marching over the hill country of the Urerewas. Ropata himself was covered with boils.