Fishing scenes at Onehunga

Fishing scenes at Onehunga

These 1864 sketches by Edward Williams show Māori fishing at Onehunga, Auckland. In one scene Māori men are pictured unloading a canoe and carrying fish, which appear to be snapper, on a pole. Māori were quick to realise that they could trade fish for European goods, and were soon supplying many outposts with the catch of the day, as well as feeding themselves.