 The battle was fought in open land near a stream called Waimako, close to Kaiwaka.The Ngāpuhi taua, led by Te Whareumu and Hongi Hika, were armed with many muskets and Hongi must have looked impressive in his suit of armour, given to him by King George IV.On the other side of the field were the Ngāti Whātua and allies, numbering over a 1,000 men, though they lacked the firepower of the Ngāpuhi combine.