In this latest work, leading New Zealand artist Brian Dahlberg creates an Auckland painting par excellence. Rangitoto, surrounded by the blue/green waters of the Hauraki Gulf sits at the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour. Upon these waters sails Auckland Maritime Museum's heritage scow, the Ted Ashby.

The Ted Ashby, launched in 1993 was constructed by museum staff and volunteers using the tradition design of the fleet of scows that once operated in northern New Zealand waters. Scows were flat-bottomed, centreboard vessels, most of which carried their cargo on deck. They were ideal for working estuaries and shallow harbours, and they carried logs, firewood, sand and shingle, machinery and stock. A few of the larger scows carried timber to Australia and America. Today the Ted Ashby is a well-loved and familiar sight affording locals and visitors alike the opportunity to cruise the Waitemata.