Gabriel Read was a notable figure in the history of New Zealand, best known for his role in the discovery of gold in the Otago region during the 1860s. His discovery led to the Otago Gold Rush, which attracted thousands of prospectors and settlers to the area, significantly impacting the region's economy and population growth. Born in 1824 in England, Read emigrated to New Zealand in 1850. He worked as a farmer and a miner before making his famous gold discovery in 1861. His contributions to the gold rush era helped shape the development of Dunedin and the surrounding areas.