Otago Anniversary Day is observed in New Zealand's historic province of Otago on the Monday closest to March 23. This day commemorates the arrival of the John Wickliffe in 1848 and the establishment of the provincial government four years later. The region was first settled by Māori in the early 14th century, and European contact began in 1770 when Joseph Banks sighted the Otago Peninsula. The first European settlers, primarily from Scotland, arrived at Port Chalmers, founding Dunedin, named after the Scottish Gaelic Dùn Èideann. The celebration recognizes the significant historical events that shaped the region, including the Otago Gold Rush, which attracted a large influx of settlers. Although the provincial system was abolished in 1875, Otago Anniversary Day remains a time for reflection on the province's heritage and history.