Ōtepoti, it’s the kupu we use for the te reo Māori translation of Dunedin. The name Ōtepoti was used to describe the upper Otago Harbour area well before the arrival of sealers, whalers, traders, and later settlers to the area. Some believe the name refers to the location as an old tauraka waka (canoe landing site) due to the translation of ‘poti’ to boat or dingy. However, the reference of poti as a boat is a relatively new translation to the kupu that emerged with the arrival of whalers, sealers, traders, and later settlers to describe European boats.
Today Ōtepoti is used to describe the wider Dunedin area, encompassing other important kāika (settlements) within the city.
Ōtepoti, it’s the kupu we use for the te reo Māori translation of Dunedin. The name Ōtepoti was used to describe the upper Otago Harbour area well before the arrival of sealers, whalers, traders, and later settlers to the area. Some believe the name refers to the location as an old tauraka waka (canoe landing site) due to the translation of ‘poti’ to boat or dingy. However, the reference of poti as a boat is a relatively new translation to the kupu that emerged with the arrival of whalers, sealers, traders, and later settlers to describe European boats.
Today Ōtepoti is used to describe the wider Dunedin area, encompassing other important kāika (settlements) within the city.
