Otago Otago pronunciation   ( help · info ) is a region of New Zealand in the south-east of the South Island . It measures approximately 32 , 000 km² ( 12 , 350 mi² ) in area , making it the second-largest region . In the 2001 census it had a population of 181 , 542 . The name `` Otago '' anglicises the Kai Tahu Māori dialect name `` Otakou '' . The village of Otakou on the Otago Peninsula served as a whaling base during early years of European economic interest in the east coast of Murihiku around 1840 . Major centres include Dunedin ( the Central City of the Region ) , Oamaru ( made famous by Janet Frame ) , Balclutha , Alexandra , and the major tourist centres Queenstown and Wanaka . Kaitangata in South Otago provides a prominent coal source . The Waitaki and Clutha rivers also provide for much of the countries Hydroelectirlicly generated electricity . New Zealand 's first university , The University of Otago , was founded in 1869 as the provincial university in Dunedin . The Central Otago area produces excellent quality of wines made from varying varities such as the Pinot Noir , Chardonay , Savignon Blanc , Merlot and Reisling grapes . History The Otago Settlement , sponsored by the Free Church of Scotland , materialised in March 1848 with the arrival of the first two immigrant ships from Greenock on the Firth of Clyde -- the John Wickliffe and the Philip Laing . Captain William Cargill , a veteran of the Peninsular War , served as the colony 's first leader : Otago citizens subsequently elected him to the office of Superintendent . Initial settlement concentrated on port and city , then expanded , notably to the south-west , where the fertile Taieri Plains offered good farmland . The 1860s saw rapid commercial expansion after Gabriel Read discovered gold at Gabriel 's Gully near Lawrence , and the Central Otago goldrush ensued . Veterans of goldfields in California and Australia , plus many other fortune-seekers from Europe , North America and China poured into the then Province of Otago , swamping its Scottish Presbyterian character . Further gold discoveries at Clyde and on the Arrow River round Arrowtown led to a boom , and Otago became for a period the cultural and economic centre of New Zealand , if not of Australasia . New Zealand 's first daily newspaper , the Otago Daily Times , originally edited by Julius Vogel , dates from this period . The Province of Southland separated from Otago Province and set up its own Provincial Council at Invercargill in 1861 . After difficulties ensued , Otago re-absorbed it in 1870 , but for local government purposes Southland is a separate region . Provincial government in New Zealand ceased in 1876 , and the national limelight gradually shifted northwards . The colony divided itself into counties in 1876 , two in Otago being named after the Scottish independence heroes Wallace and Bruce . Representation The Otago electorate is currently represented in parliament by Jacqui Dean of the New Zealand National Party . See also Flag of Otago External links Otago Daily Times Newspaper Otago Regional Council Otago Peninsula Otago Rugby Football Union Otago New Zealand , Everything about Otago Otago Polytechnic The University of Otago Regions of New Zealand North Island : Northland | Auckland | Waikato | Bay of Plenty | Gisborne ¹ | Hawke 's Bay | Taranaki | Manawatu-Wanganui | Wellington South Island : Tasman ¹ | Marlborough ¹ | Nelson ¹ | West Coast | Canterbury | Otago | Southland | Fiordland ² ¹ Unitary authorities ² Informal only ; not an officially-recognised entity Categories : Otago | Regions of New Zealand In other languages : Deutsch | Italiano | Македонски | Nederlands | Polski | 中文 en-nz-otago.ogg pronunciation 