Māori traders on the beach at Onehunga head for the Auckland market in 1856. The artist William Strutt recorded in his journal that ‘the charming bay and beach were quite animated with a fleet of canoes, just arrived with all sorts of produce for the Auckland market. The picturesque canoes were beached to the lively song of the natives, their contents landed and the tribe gathered together to hear a short speech from a fine old chief, which done, the kits (native baskets) were shouldered, or strapped to the backs of the bearers, with the strong and handy slings, each generally as well carrying a huge cum cum or pumpkin, while not a few drove fat pigs tied by one leg to the market.'