Dunedin is a city located on the southeastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is known by its Maori name, Ōtepoti, which means “place of the red earth.” The name is a reference to the red-colored clay soils that are found in the area around Dunedin. The Maori people, who were the first to settle in New Zealand, named the area Ōtepoti because of the red soil, which is a characteristic feature of the region.
The name Otepoti is commonly used by local Maori population, as well as some non-Maori residents to refer to the city of Dunedin. The name is not as widely used as Dunedin, which is the official name of the city and is more commonly used in official contexts and by the majority of the population.
Dunedin’s twin city, Ōtepoti-Dunedin, is a partnership between the city of Dunedin and the local Maori tribes. The partnership works to promote the city’s Maori heritage and to strengthen the relationship between the city and the local Maori community.
