Taiaroa Head is a headland at the end of Otago Harbour in New Zealand, overlooking the mouth of the Otago Harbour. It lies within the city limits of Dunedin. The nearest settlement, Otakou, lies three kilometres to the south. Otago Harbour consists of a long, much-indented stretch of generally navigable water separating Otago Peninsula from the main urban areas of Dunedin, New Zealand. ... Otago Harbour consists of a long, much-indented stretch of generally navigable water separating Otago Peninsula from the main urban areas of Dunedin, New Zealand. ... Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, located in coastal Otago. ... The settlement of Otakou lies within the boundaries of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. ...

The cape is home to a lighthouse and a colony of Northern Royal Albatrosses - the only such colony on an inhabited mainland. Ruins of former coastal defences are located nearby, notably a restored Anderson disappearing gun emplacement. A small beach, Pilots Beach, is located just inside the harbour entrance to the south of the head, and many forms of marine life, such as seals, are often to be seen. There are also penguin colonies nearby. The whole area is maintained as a wildlife sanctuary by the Otago Peninsula Trust. Binomial name Diomedea sanfordi Murphy, 1917 Synonyms Diomedea epomophora sanfordi The Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi) is a large seabird from the albatross family. ... Families Odobenidae Otariidae Phocidae Pinnipeds (fin-feet, lit. ...

The headland is named for Te Matenga Taiaroa, a 19th century Maori chief of the Ngai Tahu iwi. A significant Maori pa was located nearby during the 19th century. Te Puni, Māori Chief Māori is the name of the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their language. ... Ngāi Tahu, or Kāi Tahu, is the principal iwi (tribe) of the southern region of New Zealand. ... Iwi (pronounced ee-wee) are the largest everyday social units in Māori society. ... Pa, Maori word meaning a fortified village or redoubt, described at length in Maori Wars. ...

References

• Dann, C. & Peat, N. (1989). Dunedin, North and South Otago. Wellington, NZ: GP Books. ISBN 0-477-01438-0.
• Herd, J. & Griffiths, G. J. (1980). Discovering Dunedin. Dunedin, NZ: John McIndoe. ISBN 0-86868-030-3.