During the New Zealand Wars in the Bay of Plenty, the religious and military leader Hakaraia Mahika was a hugely influential figure. He played a central role in the 1864 battle of Gate Pa, and became a close and respected associate of Wiremu Tamihana and Te Kooti. His authority was once thought to equal, and perhaps even exceed, that of the Maori king, Tawhiao, yet he is barely mentioned in standard histories of the New Zealand Wars. Written with the support of Hakaraia's descendants and his iwi of Waitaha, this book gives overdue attention to a fascinating, still-controversial and undeniably impressive figure.