In the South Pacific Ocean lies New Zealand - an oasis of beauty, culture, and knowledge. Of the two main islands, the larger South Island is a wonderland of scenic beauty and charm. And sitting in the south eastern coast at the head of Otago's natural harbour, is the City of Dunedin with ocean beaches to its east, and to the west, a hinterland of hills and valleys that stretch to New Zealand 's Southern Alps .
Dunedin 's dramatic bush-covered hills form the basin of a long natural harbour, which attracted Maori settlers to the site in the 14th century. The principal tribe and Te iwi Kaitiaki o Te Wai Pounamu is Kai Tahu, the guardians of the South Island and the people of the land.
European settlement began in the 1830s. Whaling formed the focus for European activity along Otago's coastline and involved many nationalities. Over the centuries, diverse cultures have established themselves here including Asian, Lebanese and Pacific Island communities.
Our architectural heritage can be traced to the original Scottish founders and through the prosperous gold rush days of the 19 th century, providing a cityscape of fine Edwardian and Victorian architecture. In 1848, Scottish migrants established a town here, giving it the ancient Gaelic name for Edinburgh - Dunedin . Thirteen years later gold was discovered 120 kilometres inland in Central Otago and the small settlement of Dunedin became the commercial centre of the nation.