Despite the Crown's actions, there was no fighting between the Crown and Māori in Ahuriri before 1866. However, in 1866, the Crown initiated hostilities when its forces attacked Māori at Ōmarunui and Herepoho and, as a result, 30 Māori died defending themselves against Crown attacks, which were launched before the Crown made a reasonable attempt to negotiate a continuation of peace in the district. The Crown captured Ngāti Matepū and Ngāti Māhu individuals during this conflict and imprisoned them on the Chatham Islands without trial, in harsh conditions, for two years. After the wars, the combined effect of Crown land-purchasing and the native land laws contributed to Ahuriri hapū being virtually landless by 1930. This had a devastating impact on their cultural, social, and economic wellbeing. 