As was the custom for a new Māori King, he assumed the title name of Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, beginning a kingship dogged by ill health and controversy.

As a child, Te Rata had been a chronic invalid and had suffered several illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.

This expedition had been undertaken with the aim of presenting British officials with a petition concerning breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi; namely, that Māori land had been unjustly confiscated following the New Zealand wars.

[citation needed] However, during his voyage to England, Te Rata ended up suffering repeated attacks of rheumatics.

For example, during a stop-over in Honolulu, he was unable to accept an invitation from the nation's ageing Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last ruler of her people prior to annexation.