The settlement of Otakou lies within the boundaries of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. It is located 25 kilometres from the city centre at the eastern end of Otago Peninsula, close to the entrance of Otago Harbour.
A small fishing village, Otakou is important in the history of Otago for several reasons. It is from an Anglicisation of the work Otakou that the Otago region gains its name. It is also close to the site of one of the region's first European settlements, a whaling station founded in the 1830s.
Prior to the arrival of European settlers, Otakou was a prominent Maori settlement, and it is still the site of Otago's most important marae. The name Otakou is thought to come from Maori words meaning either "single village" or "place of red earth".
Otakou is located close to Taiaroa Head, the site of an albatross colony and other wildlife such as seals and penguins.
References
- Dann, C. & Peat, N. (1989). Dunedin, North and South Otago. Wellington, NZ: GP Books. ISBN 0-477-01438-0.
- Goodall, M. & Griffiths, G. (1980). Maori Dunedin. Dunedin, NZ: Otago Heritage Books.
