Later in 1869 Tūwharetoa joined with the Maori sovereignty warrior Te Kooti and his Hau Hau supporters. Te Kooti had challenged the Maori King Tāwhiao at Te Kuiti for his position but been rebuffed. However the Kingitanga kept a close eye on Te Kooti as he fought with the government and settlers and loyal Maori. Tūwharetoa joined with Te Kooti's Hau Hau at Te Pōrere Redoubt, which was styled after a European fort. The result of the battle was a decisive defeat for Tūwharetoa and Te Kooti. Women taken prisoner at Te Pōrere by the government soldiers indicated that Tūwharetoa were reluctant to fight. Te Kooti had kept the Tūwharetoa women under Hau Hau guard to ensure the Tūwharetoa men would fight. Donald McLean the native minister realised that confiscating Tūwharetoa land could cause further anti-colonial dissent. Instead Tūwharetoa were forced to give some land – Mount Tongariro – to the crown.