The expeditionary ships 'Erebus' and 'Terror' are shown anchored in a bay, probably in New Zealand, where they wintered in 1840 and returned in August 1841. The nearer ship has lowered several open boats containing sailors preparing to meet the native craft positioned in the foreground. One Māori boat sails towards the British ship proffering gifts of fish, fruit, local produce and goods. Four of the Māori craft are rafts; the two with high backs are war canoes with ornately carved sterns, and bearing warriors and important local dignitaries. A third craft on the far right shows warriors standing up holding spears.

The artist has created an air of calm and peaceful stillness, tinged with a golden glow indicating that the meeting between the visiting British ships and local people is one of friendship. The smoke on the hills in the distance denotes habitation, palm trees evoke the exotic, yet in the distance the land appears barren, mountainous and hostile. In Ross's 1847 account he observed that instead of the friendly reception anticipated, the natives of New Zealand were prepared to 'seize any opportunity of regaining possession of their lands and driving the Europeans out of the country'. Carmichael was a prolific artist who also produced drawings and engravings for British newspapers. However, since he did not accompany Ross on the expedition, this painting is not an eye-witness account but a response to the publication of Ross's book. The painting has been signed by the artist.