It's the early 1820s and the northern tribes have acquired muskets. They begin to invade other tribes and eventually one of them, Hauraki, arrives in Te Arawa. The sacred portal, Te Roto-a-Tara falls from the hands of chief Pareihe.
Ngapuhi decimate Te Arawa at Mokoia Island. Te Aokapurangi, the sacred female, saves her people of Ngati Rangiwewehi. Te Kuru o Te Marama, son of Te Arawa chief Mokonuiarangi, is tortured to death.
Whareumu leads Te Wera Hauraki and his warriors to his tribe of Kahungunu. Te Heuheu marches further into Kahungunu, killing Te Hauwaho. The alliance of Taiamai and Mahia hangs together.
Whareumu and Tahu return to their home village. Te Heuheu of Tuwharetoa lays siege to the pa to starve them out. Te Arawa chief Mokonuiarangi taunts Hauraki over the massacre at Mokoia. The besieged people eat mud to survive.
The war between Pareihe and Te Heuheu rages on for many years. Pareihe, fully armed with muskets, attacks and captures Te Heuheu. Te Heuheu forsees his own death in a landslide. He makes peace with Pareihe, cementing it with marriage.
Pareihe, Te Hapuku and Tiaki-tai have built an army and, with revenge on their minds, they return to Te Roto-a-Tara. Hihiko and Tarakawa's kinship is threatened.