Editing Dunedin (section)

== History ==
{{Main|History of the Dunedin urban area}}

=== Māori settlements ===
Archaeological evidence shows the first human (Māori) occupation of New Zealand occurred between 1250 and 1300 AD,<ref name=
"settled" /> with the population concentrated along the southeast coast.{{sfn|Hamel|2001}}{{sfn|Anderson|Allingham|Smith|1996}}{{sfn|Anderson|1998}} A camp site at Kaikai Beach, near [[Long Beach, New Zealand|Long Beach]] to the north of the present-day city of Dunedin, has been dated from about that time.{{sfn|Anderson|1983}} There are numerous archaic ([[moa]]-hunter) sites in what is now Dunedin, several of them large and permanently occupied, particularly in the 14th century.{{sfn|Hamel|2001}}{{sfn|Anderson|Allingham|Smith|1996}} The population contracted but expanded again with the evolution of the Classic [[Māori culture]] which saw the building of several [[Pā (Māori)|pā]], fortified settlements, notably Pukekura at ([[Taiaroa Head]]), about 1650.{{sfn|Anderson|1998}} There was a settlement in what is now central Dunedin (Ōtepoti), occupied as late as about 1785 but abandoned by 1826.<ref>Turton, Hanson "Introductory" in {{harvnb|Bathgate|1890}}</ref>{{sfn|Entwisle|2005}} There were also Māori settlements at [[Whareakeake]] (Murdering Beach), [[Pūrākaunui]], Mapoutahi (Goat Island Peninsula) and Huriawa ([[Karitane]] Peninsula) to the north, and at [[Taieri Mouth]] and Otokia ([[Henley, New Zealand|Henley]]) to the south, all inside the present boundaries of Dunedin.
[[File:Dunedin Museum 1 (31500865416).jpg|thumb|Dunedin Museum Māori artefact]]
[[Māori mythology|Māori tradition]] tells first of a people called Kahui Tipua living in the area, then Te Rapuwai, semi-legendary but considered{{by whom|date=June 2019}} to be historical. The next arrivals were [[Waitaha (South Island iwi)|Waitaha]],{{citation needed|date=June 2019}} followed by [[Kāti Māmoe]] late in the 16th century and then [[Kāi Tahu]] (''Ngāi Tahu'' in modern standard [[Māori language|Māori]]) who arrived in the mid-17th century.{{sfn|McLintock|1949}} European accounts have often represented these successive influxes as "invasions", but modern scholarship has cast doubt on that view. They were probably migrations – like those of the Europeans – which incidentally resulted in bloodshed.{{sfn|Anderson|1998}}{{sfn|Anderson|1983}}
The sealer [[John Boultbee (explorer)|John Boultbee]] recorded in the late 1820s that the 'Kaika Otargo' (settlements around and near [[Otago Harbour]]) were the oldest and largest in the south.{{sfn|Begg|Begg|1979}}

=== Early arrivals from Europe ===
[[File:Dunedin c. 1856 SLNSW FL10386954.jpg|thumb|Dunedin, New Zealand, {{circa|1856}}]]
Lieutenant [[James Cook]] stood off what is now the coast of Dunedin between 25 February 1770 and 5 March 1770, naming [[Cape Saunders]] (on the [[Otago Peninsula]]) and Saddle Hill. He reported penguins and seals in the vicinity, which led Australian, American and British [[Seal hunting|sealers]] to visit from the beginning of the 19th century.{{sfn|Beaglehole|1955–1967}} The early years of sealing saw a feud between sealers and local Māori from 1810 to 1823, the "[[Sealers' War]]" sparked by an incident on Otago Harbour. [[William Tucker (settler)|William Tucker]] became the first European to settle in the area – in 1815.{{sfn|Entwisle|2005}}

Permanent European occupation dates from 1831, when the [[Weller brothers]] of [[Colony of New South Wales|New South Wales]] founded their [[whaling station]] at Otago (present-day [[Otakou]]) on the Otago Harbour. Epidemics severely reduced the Māori population. By the late 1830s, the Harbour had become an international whaling port. Wright & Richards started a whaling station at [[Karitane]] in 1837 and Sydney-born [[Johnny Jones (pioneer)|Johnny Jones]] established a farming settlement and a [[mission station]] (the South Island's first) at [[Waikouaiti]] in 1840.{{sfn|Entwisle|1998}} The settlements at Karitane and Waikouaiti have endured, making modern Dunedin one of the longest-standing European-settled territories in New Zealand.

[[File:Queen Victoria statue, Dunedin, New Zealand.JPG|thumb|upright|left|Statue of [[Queen Victoria]] in Queens Gardens in Dunedin. Europeans settled in Dunedin intensively during the [[Victorian era]].]]

Early in 1844, the ''Deborah'', captained by Thomas Wing and carrying (among others) his wife Lucy and a representative of the [[New Zealand Company]], [[Frederick Tuckett]], sailed south from [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]] to determine the location of a planned [[Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)|Free Church]] settlement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=1W33 |title=Wing, Thomas 1810–1888 |publisher=[[Dictionary of New Zealand Biography]] |access-date=17 March 2009 |first=T. B. |last=Byrne |quote=Wing made several voyages to New Zealand between 1842 and 1852. In early 1844 he sailed from Nelson on the Deborah with the New Zealand Company's survey party to find a suitable site for the settlement of New Edinburgh (Dunedin). |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018041505/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1w33/wing-thomas |url-status=live }}</ref> After inspecting several areas around the eastern coast of the South Island, Tuckett selected the site which would become known as Dunedin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=1T108 |title=Tuckett, Frederick 1807? – 1876 |publisher=[[Dictionary of New Zealand Biography]] |access-date=17 March 2009 |first=Ross |last=Somerville |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018041448/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1t108/tuckett-frederick |url-status=live }}</ref> (Tuckett rejected the site of what would become [[Christchurch]], as he felt the ground around the [[Avon River / Ōtākaro]] was swampy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Symcox |first1=Jonathan |title=Royal tour 2014: Kate Middleton and Prince William to visit Dunedin – profile of New Zealand city |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/royal-tour-2014-kate-middleton-3278508|access-date= 8 July 2017 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=28 March 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140615145404/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/royal-tour-2014-kate-middleton-3278508|archive-date= 15 June 2014|url-status= live |quote=Incidentally, the site which would become Christchurch was turned down for the settlement by Frederick Tuckett, a representative of the New Zealand Company, as he felt the ground around the Avon river was swampy.}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=April 2021}})

[[File:Cargill's Monument, Dunedin, NZ.JPG|thumb|upright|Monument to [[William Cargill (New Zealand politician)|William Cargill]] on [[Princes Street, Dunedin|Princes Street]]]]

The Lay Association of the [[Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)|Free Church of Scotland]], through a company called the [[Otago Association]], founded Dunedin at the head of Otago Harbour in 1848 as the principal town<ref name="Campsie">{{cite news |last1=Campsie |first1=Alison |title=The Scottish origins of New Zealand city Dunedin |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/the-scottish-origins-of-new-zealand-city-dunedin-1-4398573|access-date= 8 July 2017 |work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=21 March 2017 |language=en|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170702031815/http://www.scotsman.com/news/the-scottish-origins-of-new-zealand-city-dunedin-1-4398573|archive-date= 2 July 2017|url-status= live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=April 2021}}
of its special settlement.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
[[File:Dunedin from Little Paisley.jpg|thumb|Dunedin from Little Paisley (1849)]]
The name "Dunedin" comes from ''Dùn Èideann'', the [[Scottish Gaelic]] name for [[Edinburgh]], the capital of [[Scotland]].{{sfn|McLintock|1949}} [[Charles Kettle]] the city's surveyor, instructed to emulate the characteristics of Edinburgh, produced a striking, "Romantic" town-planning design.{{sfn|Hocken|1898}} There resulted both grand and quirky streets, as the builders struggled and sometimes failed to construct his bold vision across the challenging landscape. Captain [[William Cargill (New Zealand politician)|William Cargill]] (1784–1860), a veteran of the [[Napoleonic Wars]], served as the secular leader of the new colony. The Reverend [[Thomas Burns (minister, born 1796)|Thomas Burns]] (1796–1871), a nephew of the poet [[Robert Burns]], provided spiritual guidance. By the end of the 1850s, around 12,000 Scots had emigrated to Dunedin, many from the industrial [[Scottish Lowlands|lowlands]].<ref name="Campsie"/>

=== Gold rush era ===
In 1852, Dunedin became the capital of the [[Otago Province]], the whole of New Zealand from the [[Waitaki River|Waitaki]] south. In 1861, the discovery of gold at [[Gabriel's Gully]], to the south-west, led to a rapid influx of people and saw Dunedin become New Zealand's first city by growth of population in 1865. The new arrivals included many Irish, but also Italians, Lebanese, French, Germans, Jews and Chinese.{{sfn|McLintock|1949}}{{sfn|McDonald|1965}} The [[Dunedin Southern Cemetery]] was established in 1858, the [[Dunedin Northern Cemetery]] in 1872.<ref>{{cite web |last=Betteridge |first=Chris |title=Landscapes of Memory – breathing new life into old cemeteries |url=http://www.historic.org.nz/aboutus/OtagoBranch/gfx/Lawson%20Lecture%202004.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041123173155/http://www.historic.org.nz/aboutus/OtagoBranch/gfx/Lawson%20Lecture%202004.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 November 2004 |date=28 July 2004 |page=2 |work=NZ Historic Places Trust|access-date=14 May 2008 }}</ref> In the 1860s, [[Ross Creek Reservoir]] was created so as to serve Dunedin's need for water.

The London-owned [[Bank of Otago]] opened its doors in Dunedin in 1863, opened 12 branches throughout its region, then in 1873 merged with the new [[National Bank of New Zealand]] also based in London and also operated from Dunedin but, true to its name, it rapidly expanded throughout New Zealand.<ref name=trsfr>[https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18730621.2.15.2 Notice. ''Otago Daily Times''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130143501/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18730621.2.15.2 |date=30 November 2020 }} 21 June 1873 Page 2</ref> Dunedin remained the principal local source of the nation's development capital until the [[Second World War]].

[[File:Dunedin Railway Station Full Exterior.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|[[Dunedin railway station]], built in 1906, is famed for its "gingerbread" architecture.]]
Dunedin and the region industrialised and consolidated, and the [[Main South Line]] connected the city with [[Christchurch]] in 1878 and Invercargill in 1879. Otago Boys' High School was founded in 1863. The [[Otago Museum]] opened in 1868. The [[University of Otago]], the oldest university in New Zealand, in 1869.{{sfn|Morrell|1969}} [[Otago Girls' High School]] was established in 1871.
[[File:New Zealand Insurance Co. Ltd, Dunedin, New Zealand.jpg|thumb|New Zealand Insurance Co Ltd, Dunedin (built 1899)]]
By 1874, Dunedin and its suburbs had become New Zealand's largest city with a population of 29,832 displacing  Auckland's 27,840 residents to second place.<ref>{{Cite book |last=King |first=Michael |title=The Penguin History of New Zealand |publisher=Penguin |year=2003 |location=New Zealand |pages=209}}</ref>

Between 1881 and 1957, Dunedin was home to [[Dunedin cable tramway system|cable trams]], being both one of the first and last such systems in the world. Early in the 1880s the inauguration of the frozen meat industry, with the first shipment leaving from [[Port Chalmers]] in 1882, saw the beginning of a later great national industry.{{sfn|McLintock|1951}} The first successful commercial shipment of frozen meat from New Zealand to the United Kingdom was on [[Dunedin (ship)|the Dunedin]] in 1881.

After ten years of gold rushes the economy slowed but [[Julius Vogel]]'s immigration and development scheme brought thousands more, especially to Dunedin and Otago, before recession set in again in the 1880s. In these first and second times of prosperity, many institutions and businesses were established, New Zealand's first daily newspaper, [[art school]], [[medical school]] and [[public art]] gallery. The [[Dunedin Public Art Gallery]] was among these new foundations.{{sfn|McLintock|1949}}{{sfn|McDonald|1965}}{{sfn|Entwisle|1984}} It had been actively promulgated by artist [[W. M. Hodgkins|William Mathew Hodgkins]]'''.''' There was also a remarkable architectural flowering producing many substantial and ornamental buildings. [[Robert Lawson (architect)|R. A. Lawson]]'s [[First Church, Dunedin|First Church of Otago]] and [[Knox Church, Dunedin|Knox Church]] are notable examples, as are buildings by [[Maxwell Bury]] and [[Francis Petre|F. W. Petre]]. The other visual arts also flourished under the leadership of [[W. M. Hodgkins]].{{sfn|Entwisle|1984}} The city's landscape and burgeoning townscape were vividly portrayed by [[George O'Brien (painter)|George O'Brien]] (1821–1888).{{sfn|Collins|Entwisle|1986}} From the mid-1890s, the economy revived. Institutions such as the Otago Settlers Museum (now renamed as [[Toitū Otago Settlers Museum]]) and the [[Hocken Collections]]—the first of their kind in New Zealand—were founded. More notable buildings such as the [[Dunedin Railway Station|Railway Station]] and [[Olveston (house)|Olveston]] were erected. New energy in the visual arts represented by [[G. P. Nerli]] culminated in the career of [[Frances Hodgkins]].{{sfn|Entwisle|1984}}{{sfn|McCormick|1954}}{{sfn|Entwisle|Dunn|Collins|1988}}{{sfn|Dunn|2005}}

=== Early modern era ===
[[File:Historic Dunedin Botanic Gardens.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Historic panorama of the Botanical Gardens, {{circa|1900}}]]
[[File:Opoho tram, Dunedin ATLIB 289963.png|thumb|Opoho tram in Dunedin (1926)]]
[[File:Bluff - Dunedin section of South Island, New Zealand Main Trunk Railway 1928 (10469674373).jpg|thumb|Dunedin area railway map (1928)]]
[[File:The web of empire - a diary of the imperial tour of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in 1901 (1902) (14763792702).jpg|thumb|'''Royal tour of Dunedin in 1901''']]
[[File:Railway siding for unloading coal and timber, Dunedin ATLIB 315054.png|thumb|Railway siding for unloading coal and timber, Dunedin (1926)]]
By 1900, Dunedin was no longer the country's biggest city. Influence and activity moved north to the other centres ("the drift north"), a trend which continued for much of the following century. Despite this, the university continued to expand, and a student quarter became established. At the same time, people started to notice Dunedin's mellowing, the ageing of its grand old buildings,{{cn|date=March 2025}} with writers like E. H. McCormick pointing out its atmospheric charm.{{sfn|McCormick|1959}} In 1901 the British royals, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York toured Dunedin.{{cn|date=March 2025}} Dunedin grew during the early 20th-century via annexation of surrounding municipalities — between 1904 and 1916 Dunedin annexed the boroughs of [[Caversham, New Zealand|Caversham]], [[South Dunedin]], [[North East Valley]], [[Maori Hill]], [[Roslyn, Dunedin|Roslyn]], and [[Mornington, Dunedin|Mornington]] as well as the [[Bay Town District]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Bloomfield | first=Gerald Taylor | title=The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840-1971 |publisher=Auckland University Press | publication-place=Auckland | date=1973 | isbn=0-19-647714-X | page=10}}</ref> In 1963 [[West Harbour, Otago|West Harbour]] Borough was annexed by Dunedin and in 1968 it annexed the entire [[Peninsula County]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Bloomfield | first=Gerald Taylor | title=The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840-1971 | publisher=Auckland University Press | publication-place=Auckland | date=1973 | isbn=0-19-647714-X | page=14}}</ref>

In the 1930s and early 1940s a new generation of artists such as [[Toss Woollaston|M. T. (Toss) Woollaston]], [[Doris Lusk]], Anne Hamblett, [[Colin McCahon]] and [[Patrick Hayman]] once again represented the best of the country's talent. The Second World War saw the dispersal of these painters, but not before McCahon had met a very youthful poet, [[James K. Baxter]], in a central city studio.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

[[File:Cenotaph, Dunedin, New Zealand2.JPG|thumb|upright|left|[[Dunedin Cenotaph]], erected in 1927]]
Numerous large companies had been established in Dunedin, many of which became national leaders. Late among them was [[Fletcher Construction]], founded by Sir [[James Fletcher (industrialist)|James Fletcher]] in the early 20th century. [[Kempthorne Prosser]], established in 1879 in Stafford Street, was the largest fertiliser and drug manufacturer in the country for over 100 years. [[Methven (company)|G. Methven]], a metalworking and tap manufacturer based in [[South Dunedin]], was also a leading firm, as was [[Henry Ely Shacklock|H. E. Shacklock]], an iron founder and appliance manufacturer later taken over by the Auckland concern [[Fisher and Paykel]]. The [[Mosgiel Woollens]] was another Victorian Dunedin foundation. [[Hallensteins]] was the colloquial name of a menswear manufacturer and national retail chain, while the DIC and [[Arthur Barnett (department store)|Arthur Barnett]] were department stores, the former a nationwide concern. Coulls, Somerville Wilkie—later part of the [[Whitcoulls]] group—had its origins in Dunedin in the 19th century. There were also the [[National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand]], [[Wright Stephenson|Wright Stephensons Limited]], the Union Steamship Company and the National Insurance Company and the Standard Insurance Company among many others, which survived into the 20th century.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

=== Post-war developments ===
[[File:Dunedin Botanic Gardens winter 2011 panorama.jpg|right|upright=1.25|thumb|Dunedin Botanic Gardens in winter]]
After the [[World War II|Second World War]] prosperity and population growth revived, although Dunedin trailed as the fourth 'main centre'. A generation reacting against [[Victorian architecture|Victorianism]] started demolishing its buildings and many were lost, notably [[William Mason (architect)|William Mason]]'s [[Stock exchange]] in 1969. ([[Princes Street, Dunedin|Dunedin Stock Exchange building]]) Although the university continued to expand, the city's population contracted, notably from 1976 to 1981. This was a culturally vibrant time with the university's new privately endowed arts fellowships bringing writers including [[James K. Baxter|James K Baxter]], [[Ralph Hotere]], [[Janet Frame]] and [[Hone Tuwhare]] to the city.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

[[File:Princes Street, Dunedin 1982 (35772469910).jpg|thumb|left|Princes Street in April 1982]]
During the 1980s Dunedin's [[popular music]] scene blossomed, with many acts, such as [[The Chills]], [[The Clean]], [[The Verlaines]] and [[Straitjacket Fits]], gaining national and international recognition. The term "The [[Dunedin sound]]" was coined to describe the 1960s-influenced, guitar-led music which flourished at the time.<ref>{{cite book |first=Roy |last=Shuker |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PRavFA8l2FQC&q=The+Dunedin+Sound%22+1960s+music&pg=PA210 |title=Understanding popular music |publisher=Routledge |date=2001 |isbn=9780415235099 |access-date=17 October 2020 |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018041452/https://books.google.com/books?id=PRavFA8l2FQC&q=The+Dunedin+Sound%22+1960s+music&pg=PA210 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bands and musicians are still playing and recording in many styles.

By 1990, [[population decline]] had steadied and slow growth occurred thereafter with Dunedin re-inventing itself as a 'heritage city' with its main streets refurbished in the [[Victorian architecture|Victorian style]].<ref name="heritage buildings">[https://web.archive.org/web/20020131173317/http://www.cityofdunedin.com/city/?page=feat_heritagehousing Dunedin City council page]</ref> [[Robert Lawson (architect)|R. A. Lawson]]'s Municipal Chambers ([[Dunedin Town Hall]]) in [[the Octagon, Dunedin|the Octagon]] were handsomely restored. The city was also recognised as a centre of excellence in tertiary education and research. The university's and polytechnic's growth accelerated. Dunedin has continued to refurbish itself, embarking on redevelopments of the [[Art museum|art gallery]], railway station and the [[Toitū Otago Settlers Museum]]. Meanwhile, the continued blossoming of local creative writing saw the city gain UNESCO [[City of Literature]] status in 2014. 
[[File:28 High Street, Dunedin, New Zealand - Neuseeland.jpg|thumb|High Street Dunedin (2009)]]
Dunedin has flourishing niche industries including engineering, software engineering, [[biotechnology]] and fashion. [[Port Chalmers]] on the [[Otago Harbour]] provides Dunedin with deep-water facilities. It is served by the [[Port Chalmers Branch]], a [[branch line]] railway which diverges from the [[Main South Line]] and runs from [[Christchurch]] by way of Dunedin to [[Invercargill]]. Dunedin is also home to [[MTF Ltd|MTF]], the nationwide vehicle finance company.

The cityscape glitters with gems of Victorian and Edwardian architecture—the legacy of the city's gold-rush affluence. Many, including First Church, [[Otago Boys' High School]] and [[Larnach Castle]] were designed by one of New Zealand's most eminent architects [[Robert Lawson (architect)|R. A. Lawson]]. Other prominent buildings include [[Olveston (house)|Olveston]] and the [[Dunedin Railway Station]]. Other unusual or memorable buildings or constructions are [[Baldwin Street]], claimed to be the world's steepest residential street;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38568889 |title=Where is England's steepest residential street? |work=[[BBC News]] |date=10 January 2017|access-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213023317/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38568889|archive-date=13 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> the Captain Cook tavern; Cadbury Chocolate Factory ([[Cadbury World, Dunedin|Cadbury World]]) (In 2018, both the factory and Cadbury World  closed to make way for a new NZ$1.4 billion hospital to replace the existing [[Dunedin Public Hospital]]); and the [[Speight's]] brewery.

[[File:Dunedin Botanic Gardens Spring 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Botanic Gardens in Spring]]

The thriving tertiary student population has led to a vibrant [[youth culture]] (students are referred to as 'Scarfies' by people who are not students), consisting of the previously mentioned [[Indie music scene|music scene]], and more recently a burgeoning boutique fashion industry.<ref name="thread">[https://web.archive.org/web/20040103042805/http://www.thread.co.nz/article/723 Thread fashion magazine article]</ref><ref name="Fashionherald">{{cite news |first=Cathrin |last=Schaer |title=Rain fails to dampen Dunedin's fashion parade |date=3 March 2008 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=151&objectid=10495751 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |publisher=APN Holdings}}</ref> A strong visual arts community also exists in Dunedin, notably in [[Port Chalmers]] and the other settlements which dot the coast of the [[Otago Harbour]], and also in communities such as [[Waitati]].

Sport is catered for in Dunedin by the floodlit [[Rugby Union|rugby]] and [[cricket]] venues of [[Forsyth Barr Stadium]] and [[University Oval, Dunedin]], respectively, the new [[Caledonian Ground]] football and [[Track and field athletics|athletics]] stadium near the university at [[Logan Park, Dunedin|Logan Park]], the large [[The Edgar Centre|Edgar Centre]] indoor sports centre, the [[Dunedin Ice Stadium]], and numerous golf courses and parks. There is also the [[Wingatui]] horseracing course to the south of the city. St Clair Beach is a well-known [[surfing]] venue, and the harbour basin is popular with [[windsurfing|windsurfers]] and [[kitesurfing|kitesurfers]]. Dunedin has four public swimming pools: [[Moana Pool]], Port Chalmers Pool, Mosgiel and St Clair Salt Water Pool.

In February 2021, the [[East Otago]] towns of [[Waikouaiti]] and [[Karitane]] in New Zealand [[2021 East Otago lead poisoning scare|reported high lead levels]] in their water supplies. Local and national authorities responded by dispatching water tanks to assist local residents and providing free blood tests, fruits and vegetables. The lead poisoning scare also attracted coverage by national media.<ref>{{cite news |title=Water in two tiny NZ towns has toxic levels of lead. Locals weren't warned for a month because staffer was on holiday |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/water-in-two-tiny-nz-towns-has-toxic-levels-of-lead-locals-werent-warned-for-a-month-because-staffer-was-on-holiday/4JZAK6BKNJJGXLINNM2ZYCVK34/|access-date=5 February 2021 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205074855/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/water-in-two-tiny-nz-towns-has-toxic-levels-of-lead-locals-werent-warned-for-a-month-because-staffer-was-on-holiday/4JZAK6BKNJJGXLINNM2ZYCVK34/|archive-date=5 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Elder |first1=Vaughan |title=Lead in water found at 40 times acceptable level |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/residents-offered-blood-tests-lead|access-date=5 February 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205080324/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/residents-offered-blood-tests-lead|archive-date=5 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunedin City Council providing free fruit and veg as lead water scare continues |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/435959/dunedin-city-council-providing-free-fruit-and-veg-as-lead-water-scare-continues |work=[[Radio New Zealand]]|access-date=9 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207043724/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/435959/dunedin-city-council-providing-free-fruit-and-veg-as-lead-water-scare-continues|archive-date=7 February 2021 |date=9 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> By early March 2021, the [[Southern District Health Board]] confirmed that test results indicated that long-term exposure to lead in the water supply posed little risk to the local population.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lead scare: Long-term health problems 'unlikely' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/lead-scare-long-term-health-problems-unlikely|access-date=12 March 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312004219/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/lead-scare-long-term-health-problems-unlikely|archive-date=12 March 2021}}</ref>

In late January 2024, the [[Dunedin City Council]] and [[Otago Regional Council]] released a joint draft strategy to expand housing development and industrial land over the next thirty years to accommodate a projected 10% population growth.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunedin prepares for 10% population increase over next 30 years |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/507992/dunedin-prepares-for-10-percent-population-increase-over-next-30-years |access-date=1 February 2024 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130180808/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/507992/dunedin-prepares-for-10-percent-population-increase-over-next-30-years |archive-date=30 January 2024}}</ref>