Ngāpuhi acknowledged the death of 150 of their party of 500, but other reports of their loss ranged up to 300. Among the dead were Hongi Hika's older brother Houwawe, his half-brother Hau Moka, and his sister Waitapu, whose body was mutilated to symbolise stopping the line of descent. Hongi Hika himself escaped,"Musket Wars: Beginnings", NZHistory.net.nz as did Kawiti, another Ngāpuhi leader, due to Tāoho's restraint in stopping further pursuit. So numerous were the bodies left on the beach and eaten by gulls, the battle was called Te Kai a te Karoro (the Feast of the Black-backed Gull).
