In 1852, Te Kooti, with others, formed a lawless group who travelled through the East Coast area while stealing from both Māori and Pākehā alike.
During his captivity, Te Kooti studied the Bible intensely and conducted religious services based particularly on the Old Testament but incorporating traditional Māori beliefs and mythology.
He specialized in dramatic symbolic displays involving tricks he had learnt from sailors using phosphorus from match heads to make his fingers appear on fire.
Te Kooti developed the myth that white quartz stones were diamonds and symbolically the lamb of God.
Te Kooti drew extensive parallels between biblical accounts of the Israelites being forced into the desert and the position of instinctive Māori in the 1860 having their land confiscated for holding true to their protocols.
When Te Kooti landed at Gisborne, he released the crew without harm after stealing all the weapons in the ship's armory.
Large numbers of people, including women and children were killed, although there is no evidence Te Kooti himself took part in torture and murder.
Gradually, under pressure by Gilbert Mair and his largely Māori soldiers, Te Kooti's mainly Ngāi Tūhoe followers were either captured, killed, or deserted until only a handful of supporters remained.
In particular, his habit of carrying a loaded revolver, drinking rum and living with many women strained relations with the Māori King Movement.
[2] In later life, Te Kooti left the King Country sanctuary with a group of followers, mainly women, and headed for his East Coast home where he was still highly unpopular.
The New Zealand army was called out and he was arrested at Waioeka Pā near Ōpōtiki and jailed in Auckland for a brief time as he was unable to pay a fine for breaching the peace.