Māori people settled the Auckland isthmus around 1350, calling it ' or ', meaning "Tāmaki desired by many", in reference to the desirability of its natural resources and geography. The narrow isthmus was a strategic location with its two harbours providing access to the sea on both the west and east coasts. It had fertile soils that facilitated horticulture and the two harbours provided plentiful "kai moana" (seafood). Māori constructed terraced "pā" (fortified villages) on the volcanic peaks. However, for most of the period Māori living in defended pā was a rare event, with most people living in undefended kāinga.