First named as Paora Kukutai (the leading Taranaki chief) killed in action in 'Journal of Events' dated 29 March 1860 and published in The Taranaki Herald 31 March 1860 and listed as head chief of the Taranaki tribe in The Taranaki Herald 7 April 1860. The same list is given in an open letter written in Maori by Native Secretary Donald McLean, dated ‘Taranaki’, 4 April 1860, in the order as in the newspaper to indicate the same origin (Parkinson and Griffith 2004:519).

Wellington Carrington in an account of the various contingents on their way north, also published by The Taranaki Herald of 7 April, recorded that on 27th, 64 natives (Patukai Hapu) headed by Paora Kukutae and Aperahama went along the main road and settled at Ratanui, a little above Mrs Jury's house. He continued to write that "Old Paul was killed when the Pa was stormed and colors taken".

Grayling (1862:93:Fig 3) deriving his information from "native sources', records him as Paori Kukutai.

He is named Poara Kukutai in Day (1985:39).

He is named Poara Kukutai in the 'Journal of Events' dated 31 March published in The Taranaki Herald 7 April 1860, and is said to have been buried at Poutoko. Later information, from Day (1985:39), on the final resting place of Poara Kukutai, whose grave is reported in 1881 to be marked by a wooden slab, is at Ngakumikumi, south of Hangatahua (Stoney River), along with the grave of another man also killed at Waireka.

Prickett (2005) writing about the spelling differences, notes that "McLean is likely to be correct because of his knowledge of Maori and he will have known some of the men".

A record of his death is found in the 2 June 1860 diary entry of a Taranaki settler A.S. (Arthur) Atkinson two months after the fight, here given in full from the original source: "Parris…tells me that the two Ngapuhi boys lately sent home had a long conversation with him about the war. According to them there were no men killed in the Pa at Waireka (when Capn. Cracroft stormed it). Old Paora Kukutai was shot (I believe by E. Messenger) running away from the Pa. When the Maories heard the sailors coming they took to their covered trenches & these were so full there was no room for the old fellow & he made off. This account agrees perfectly with two others from independent sources – 1st Riemenschneider who met the Taranakis at Warea after they retired – & 2nd Edd. Messenger who went up into the pa with the storming party & when inside ‘couldn’t see anyone to stick or shoot’ & so went outside where he saw a man in a white blanket running away, about 50 yards off. He knelt down & fired – thinks he hit him but could not be certain owing to the darkness & smoke…’ (Scholefield 1960 I:592)

Gilbert wrote of hearing "Paul" had been killed (Gilbert 1861:98)

The Taranaki Herald 31 March 1860, 7 April 1860. Gilbert, T. 1861. New Zealand Settlers and Soldiers, or the War in Taranaki, Being Incidents in the Life of a Settler. London. Grayling, W.I. 1862. The war in Taranaki, during the years 1860-61. New Plymouth, G.W. Woon. Scholefield, G.H. 1960. The Richmond–Atkinson Papers. Wellington, Government Printer. Day, K. 1985. Warea School and District Centennial 1884-1984. Belich, J. 1986. The New Zealand Wars: and the Victorian interpretation of racial conflict. Auckland, Auckland University Press. Parkinson, P. and P. Griffith 2004. Books in Maori 1815–1900; Nga Tanga Reo Maori. Auckland, Reed. AWMM