(1) The story of the composition of Ka Mate is well known within the oral histories of Ngati Toa Rangatira. The event took place while the iwi were still based in Kawhia and Te Rauparaha was gaining prominence as a leader.

(2) During this time, Ngati Toa Rangatira were faced with increasing pressure and ongoing hostilities from iwi based in the Waikato, who sought access and control over coastal resources such as the Kawhia Harbour and surrounding coast. A fragile peace had been made with the Waikato iwi, but Te Rauparaha and the other Ngati Toa Rangatira leaders were aware of the imminent conflict which could erupt at any time. Te Rauparaha journeyed from Kawhia to seek alliances with other tribal groups, one of those being Tuwharetoa who lived in the Lake Taupo region. Te Rauparaha was connected to Tuwharetoa and Te Heu Heu II Mananui, the Paramount Chief of Tuwharetoa.

(3) The relationship between Te Rauparaha and the Tuwharetoa chief Te Heu Heu II Mananui is shown by this whakapapa showing their respective mothers to be second cousins.

(4) Both also descend from Tupahau, ancestor of Toa Rangatira.

(5) When he arrived at Te Rapa, which is located near Tokaanu, Te Rauparaha was told by Te Heu Heu II Mananui that he was being pursued by a war party from Ngati Te Aho, who wanted revenge for a previous incident involving Ngati Toa Rangatira. Te Heu Heu directed Te Rauparaha to seek the protection of his relative Te Wharerangi at his pa on Motu-o Puhi, an island in Lake Rotoaira.

(6) As the war party closed in on their quarry, guided by the incantations of their tohunga, Te Wharerangi instructed Te Rauparaha to hide in a taewa pit and instructed his wife, Te Rangikoaea, to sit at the entrance. By doing this, Te Rauparaha was hidden and protected physically, but, more importantly, in a spiritual sense as well. As the Ngati Te Aho party entered the pa, their tohunga made incantations to locate Te Rauparaha, but the noa of Te Rangikoaea, who sat at the mouth of the pit, acted as an “arai” or barrier. The karakia was inhibited due to the woman's presence.

(7) Te Rauparaha could not be sure that his presence would not be revealed and could feel the power of the incantations. He is said to have muttered “Ka Mate! Ka Mate!” under his breath (Will I die!) and “Ka Ora! Ka Ora!” (or will I live!) when the Noa reduced the incantation’s effect. These lines were repeated many times, coinciding with the waxing and waning of the tohunga’s power, until eventually Ngati Te Aho were convinced that Te Rauparaha had escaped towards Taranaki. It was only then that he finally exclaimed “Ka Ora! Ka Ora! Tenei te tangata Puhuruhuru nana nei i tiki mai Whakawhiti te ra!” (I live! I live! For it was indeed the wondrous power of a woman (“the Noa”) that fetched the sun and caused it to shine again!).