Aldermen Islands

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox islands | name = Aldermen Islands | local_name = | image_name = Aldermen Islands 1.jpg | image_caption = A bay on one of the Aldermen Islands. | locator_map = | map_caption = | nickname = | location = Mercury Bay in the North Island | coordinates = {{coord|36|58|S|176|05|E|region:NZ_type:isle|}} | archipelago = | total_islands = | major_islands = | area_km2 = 1.3 | length_km = | width_km = | highest_mount = | elevation_m = | population = 0 | population_as_of = | density_km2 = | ethnic_groups = | country = New Zealand | additional_info = }} The '''Aldermen Islands''' are a small group of rocky islets to the southeast of Mercury Bay in the North Island of New Zealand. They are located off the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, {{convert|20|km|mi}} east of the mouth of the Tairua River.

thumb|Map of the Andermen Islands

The islands were named 'the Court of Aldermen' by Captain Cook and his crew on 3 November 1769 after previously naming Mayor Island.<ref>Cook, J., Wharton, Sir W. J. L. (1968) Captain Cook's journal during his first voyage round the world, made in H. M. Bark 'Endeavour', 1768-71: a literal transcription of the original mss; with notes and introd. ed. by Captain W. J. L. Warton. Adelaide: Libraries Board of South Australia.</ref> The Aldermen group consists of four main islands: Hongiora, Middle, Ruamahuanui, and Ruamahuaiti. The smaller islands include Big Hump, Little Hump, Nga Horo Island, Half Island and The Spire. Their combined area is {{convert|133.5|ha|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.linz.govt.nz/layer/53564-protected-areas/data/93629/|title=Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service (recorded area 133.5463 ha)|publisher=Land Information New Zealand|accessdate=2019-09-03}}</ref> The islands are a forested nature reserve hosting rare species including the tuatara. Access is by permit only.

The Aldermen Islands are the remains of eroded Pliocene or Early Pleistocene lava domes that form part of the Whitianga Group.<ref>{{cite gvp|vn=241806|title=Alderman Islands|accessdate=2020-06-12}}</ref> Approximately 18,000 years ago during the Last Glacial Maximum when sea levels were over 100 metres lower than present day levels, the islands were hilly features surrounded by a vast coastal plain. Sea levels began to rise 7,000 years ago, after which the islands separated from the rest of New Zealand.<ref name="Niwa">{{Cite web| title = Estuary origins |work=NIWA |date=6 June 2017 |url=https://niwa.co.nz/te-kuwaha/tools-and-resources/ng%C4%81-waihotanga-iho-the-estuary-monitoring-toolkit-for-iwi/estuary-origins | publisher = National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research| access-date = 3 November 2021}}</ref> When sea levels were lower, the Tairua River flowed south of the features, travelling eastwards towards the Pacific Ocean.<ref name="Niwa"/>

==See also== {{Portal|Islands}} * List of islands of New Zealand * List of islands * Desert island

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aldermen Islands}} Category:Uninhabited islands of New Zealand Category:Thames-Coromandel District Category:Islands of Waikato Category:Volcanoes of Waikato Category:Pliocene lava domes Category:Pleistocene lava domes Category:Lava domes of New Zealand