Dunedin, New Zealand
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
A small city nestled on the edge of the Taieri Plain, on the East Coast of New Zealand. Many unusual people have scoped the city from the time of its Scottish birth, over 150 years ago.
Dunedin was first city in New Zealand to be settled. In 1848 two ships (by the names of Phillip Laing and John Wickliffe) crossed the Atlantic and Indian oceans, with settlers from the United Kingdom, to arrive in the small Otago Harbour, five to seven months being spent on the ships. Of course there were already a few pioneers living there, the Weller Brothers (local whalers), Octavius Harwood (a genius bed-hopper (with the greatest respect) and thoroughly excellent man) and the local Ngai Tahu (a southern Maori tribe, by far the first people to settle there), to name a few.
From then on Dunedin became a prospering settlement, deeply influenced by its Scottish/Presbyterian heritage. It grew, creating the things it is most famous for: The Octagon, The Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Eyed penguin Colonies, Larnach Castle, and the beautiful gothic architecture.
The Octagon is the centre of the City, it is shaped like an octagon (hence the name) and sports St Paul's Cathedral, The Dunedin Visitor Centre, and a statue of Robbie Burns, a Scottish poet, one of the original settlers. And from the Octagon you can see many examples of the architecture, a good one is First Church, the first church in Otago (hence the name), its massive spire towering above what was formerly known as Bell Hill.
The Otago Peninsula holds most of the small city's history and wonder, though. Across the very small harbour bridge, and down Portobello Road you can find many natural and cultural attractions, and this is where most of Dunedin's tourism takes place. First there is the Royal Albatross Colony (at Taiaroa Head), the only mainland colony of these birds in the world. The Northern Royal Albatross is the largest seabird in the world and its wings can span to almost three metres long (so it's almost like a small bomb flying overhead). Sadly the population almost was lost in the late 19th century due to the building of gun implacements there (due to paranoia of Russian attacks). There is also numerous Yellow Eyed Penguin/Hoiho colonies at intervals along the northern part of the Peninsula. These are the only places in the world where the Hoiho come to live on the mainland.
Other than these natural features of the Peninsula, the historical features also attract many tourists. Such as 'Larnach Castle' named after its builder and first owner, a Mr Larnach. According to the history, Larnach was one of the richer men who settled in Dunedin and built himself and his family a small castle. Materials had to be bought in England and brought over by ships. Later Larnach's daughter supposedly committed suicide, by jumping off the tower and Larnach died a lonely man. Today, the castle and garden having been sucessfully restored, it is open to visitors, although there is a story that the castle is haunted by the spirit of Larnach's daughter still. An annual charity ball is held in the stables.
The local Ngai Tahu (a southern tribe/iwi of Maori) iwi also has their marae (like a small villiage/meeting grounds) at Otakou and this provides Dunedin with its most ancient culture. There are many sacred/tapu places around the Peninsula, like burial grounds and places where fights have taken place. When the settlers from the United Kingdom came, as with all settlers over the world, they took advantage of the iwi, although some understood the wrong of this and got on quite nicely with them. Today respect is given to the Ngai Tahu, and people understand the wrong of the last century (although there still is some conflict).
Dunedin, with its attraction and history, is still quite a modern place, indulging in the University/Scarfie culture and the local rugby spirit is tremendous. All in all, Dunedin is a beautiful little city to live in and will continue to surprise and attract well in to the coming new century.
Population: Definately under 200,000
Dunedin, it's all right here! (Emphasising the 'right').
Dunedin was first city in New Zealand to be settled. In 1848 two ships (by the names of Phillip Laing and John Wickliffe) crossed the Atlantic and Indian oceans, with settlers from the United Kingdom, to arrive in the small Otago Harbour, five to seven months being spent on the ships. Of course there were already a few pioneers living there, the Weller Brothers (local whalers), Octavius Harwood (a genius bed-hopper (with the greatest respect) and thoroughly excellent man) and the local Ngai Tahu (a southern Maori tribe, by far the first people to settle there), to name a few.
From then on Dunedin became a prospering settlement, deeply influenced by its Scottish/Presbyterian heritage. It grew, creating the things it is most famous for: The Octagon, The Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Eyed penguin Colonies, Larnach Castle, and the beautiful gothic architecture.
The Octagon is the centre of the City, it is shaped like an octagon (hence the name) and sports St Paul's Cathedral, The Dunedin Visitor Centre, and a statue of Robbie Burns, a Scottish poet, one of the original settlers. And from the Octagon you can see many examples of the architecture, a good one is First Church, the first church in Otago (hence the name), its massive spire towering above what was formerly known as Bell Hill.
The Otago Peninsula holds most of the small city's history and wonder, though. Across the very small harbour bridge, and down Portobello Road you can find many natural and cultural attractions, and this is where most of Dunedin's tourism takes place. First there is the Royal Albatross Colony (at Taiaroa Head), the only mainland colony of these birds in the world. The Northern Royal Albatross is the largest seabird in the world and its wings can span to almost three metres long (so it's almost like a small bomb flying overhead). Sadly the population almost was lost in the late 19th century due to the building of gun implacements there (due to paranoia of Russian attacks). There is also numerous Yellow Eyed Penguin/Hoiho colonies at intervals along the northern part of the Peninsula. These are the only places in the world where the Hoiho come to live on the mainland.
Other than these natural features of the Peninsula, the historical features also attract many tourists. Such as 'Larnach Castle' named after its builder and first owner, a Mr Larnach. According to the history, Larnach was one of the richer men who settled in Dunedin and built himself and his family a small castle. Materials had to be bought in England and brought over by ships. Later Larnach's daughter supposedly committed suicide, by jumping off the tower and Larnach died a lonely man. Today, the castle and garden having been sucessfully restored, it is open to visitors, although there is a story that the castle is haunted by the spirit of Larnach's daughter still. An annual charity ball is held in the stables.
The local Ngai Tahu (a southern tribe/iwi of Maori) iwi also has their marae (like a small villiage/meeting grounds) at Otakou and this provides Dunedin with its most ancient culture. There are many sacred/tapu places around the Peninsula, like burial grounds and places where fights have taken place. When the settlers from the United Kingdom came, as with all settlers over the world, they took advantage of the iwi, although some understood the wrong of this and got on quite nicely with them. Today respect is given to the Ngai Tahu, and people understand the wrong of the last century (although there still is some conflict).
Dunedin, with its attraction and history, is still quite a modern place, indulging in the University/Scarfie culture and the local rugby spirit is tremendous. All in all, Dunedin is a beautiful little city to live in and will continue to surprise and attract well in to the coming new century.
Population: Definately under 200,000
Dunedin, it's all right here! (Emphasising the 'right').
