Page "Tāmati Wāka Nene" Paragraph 10

So when Hone Heke cut down the flag pole for the fourth time, Nene was mightily offended, feeling that his mana had been trampled on and Nene was already at war with Heke when the British troops began to arrive on the scene.

They fought side by side, as allies but with almost complete incomprehension about each other's intentions.

Nene described the British commander, Colonel Despard, as ' a very stupid man '.

Despard on the other hand said " if I want help from savages I will ask for it ".

History tends to support Nene's opinion.

Hone Heke was only defeated once in the conflict at Te Ahuahu on 12 June 1845, by Nene with no help from the British.