He had been on a raid to Cook's Straits, and when there had been struck with the strategic value of the island of Kapiti--steep, secure from land attacks, not infertile, and handy to the shore.

It was the resort, moreover, of the _Pakehas_ trading-ships.

Like Hongi, Rauparaha saw that the man with the most muskets must carry all before him in New Zealand.

Out of the way and overshadowed by the Waikato his small tribe were badly placed at Kawhia.

But if he could bring them and allies along with them to Kapiti and seize it, he could dominate central New Zealand.
He persuaded his people to migrate.