Hemi Kuka was identified as a casualty by George Drummond Hay of the Native Department. He was listed and the list attached to Colonel Leslie's report dated 21 January 1861 to the Deputy Adjutant General (for General Pratt) which was published with a minor transcription differences as Hemi Ruka in the Great Britain Parliamentary Papers 1862; War Office (1865:43) and the New Zealand Gazette (1861 No 5).

It was reported in The Taranaki Herald 26 January 1861that he was buried by the 'friendly natives' but the place of burial is unknown.

The Taranaki Herald 26 January 1861, 2 February 1861. The New Zealand Gazette. Number 5 1861. Great Britain Parliamentary Papers 1862 [3040 and 3049]. Vol. XXXVII, p 11-12. Grayling, W.I. 1862. The War in Taranaki, during the years 1860-61. New Plymouth, G.W. Woon. Selections from Despatches and Letters Relative to the Conduct of Military Operations in New Zealand 1860–5. War Office, 0270 II. Belich, J. 1986. The New Zealand Wars: and the Victorian Interpretation of racial conflict. Auckland, Auckland University Press AWMM