# Aldermen Islands > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aldermen_Islands > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aldermen_Islands.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldermen_Islands > Source revision: 1324813059 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Island group in Mercury Bay, New Zealand Aldermen Islands A bay on one of the Aldermen Islands. Interactive map of Aldermen Islands Geography Location Mercury Bay in the North Island Coordinates 36°58′S 176°05′E / 36.967°S 176.083°E / -36.967; 176.083 Area 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi) Administration New Zealand Demographics Population 0 The **Aldermen Islands** are a small group of rocky islets to the southeast of [Mercury Bay](/source/Mercury_Bay) in the [North Island](/source/North_Island) of [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand). They are located off the coast of the [Coromandel Peninsula](/source/Coromandel_Peninsula), 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of the mouth of the [Tairua River](/source/Tairua_River). 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.[1] The Aldermen group consists of four main islands: [Hongiora](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hongiora&action=edit&redlink=1), [Middle](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Middle_(island)&action=edit&redlink=1), [Ruamahuanui](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ruamahuanui&action=edit&redlink=1), and [Ruamahuaiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ruamahuaiti&action=edit&redlink=1). The smaller islands include [Big Hump](/source/Big_Hump), [Little Hump](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Little_Hump&action=edit&redlink=1), [Nga Horo Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nga_Horo_Island&action=edit&redlink=1), Half Island and [The Spire](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Spire_(New_Zealand)&action=edit&redlink=1). Their combined area is 133.5 ha (330 acres).[2] The islands are a forested nature reserve hosting rare species including the [tuatara](/source/Tuatara). Access is by permit only. The Aldermen Islands are the remains of eroded [Pliocene](/source/Pliocene) or [Early Pleistocene](/source/Early_Pleistocene) [lava domes](/source/Lava_dome) that form part of the Whitianga Group.[3] Approximately 18,000 years ago during the [Last Glacial Maximum](/source/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.[4] When sea levels were lower, the [Tairua River](/source/Tairua_River) flowed south of the features, travelling eastwards towards the Pacific Ocean.[4] ## See also - [Islands portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Islands) - [List of islands of New Zealand](/source/List_of_islands_of_New_Zealand) - [List of islands](/source/List_of_islands) - [Desert island](/source/Desert_island) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** 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. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service (recorded area 133.5463 ha)"](https://data.linz.govt.nz/layer/53564-protected-areas/data/93629/). [Land Information New Zealand](/source/Land_Information_New_Zealand). Retrieved 3 September 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Alderman Islands"](https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=241806). *[Global Volcanism Program](/source/Global_Volcanism_Program)*. [Smithsonian Institution](/source/Smithsonian_Institution). Retrieved 12 June 2020. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Niwa_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Niwa_4-1) ["Estuary origins"](https://niwa.co.nz/te-kuwaha/tools-and-resources/ng%C4%81-waihotanga-iho-the-estuary-monitoring-toolkit-for-iwi/estuary-origins). *NIWA*. [National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research](/source/National_Institute_of_Water_and_Atmospheric_Research). 6 June 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2021. v t e Thames-Coromandel District, New Zealand Seat: Thames Populated places Coromandel-Colville Ward Cape Colville Colville Coromandel Kennedy Bay Manaia Motutakapu Mercury Bay Ward Cooks Beach Coroglen Hahei Hot Water Beach Kūaotunu Matarangi New Chums Beach Otama Beach Rings Beach Te Rerenga Whangapoua Whenuakite Whitianga Thames Ward Hikutaia Kauaeranga Valley Kopu Matatoki Ngarimu Bay Puriri Tapu Te Mata Te Puru Thames Thornton Bay Waiomu South West Ward Whangamatā C.B. Onemana Opoutere Whangamata Tairua-Pauanui C.B. Hikuai Pauanui Tairua Islands Aldermen Islands Castle Island Mahurangi Island / Goat Island Mercury Islands Motueka Island / Pigeon Island Motukawao Islands Poikeke Island Slipper Island Whanganui Island Geographic features Cape Colville Castle Rock Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-A-Hei Colville Channel Firth of Thames Hauraki Gulf Kauaeranga Valley Mercury Bay Moehau Range Thames Valley Whangapoua Harbour Facilities and attractions Coromandel Forest Park Driving Creek Railway Hauraki Rail Trail Kopu Bridge Pauanui Aerodrome Siamese Kauri Square Kauri Thames Aerodrome Thames railway station Thames School of Mines Whangamata Beach Hop Whitianga Aerodrome Whitianga Festival of Speed Government District Council Mayor Regional Council Organisations The Mercury Bay Informer Ngāti Rongoū Thames High School [36°58′S 176°05′E / 36.967°S 176.083°E / -36.967; 176.083](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Aldermen_Islands¶ms=36_58_S_176_05_E_region:NZ_type:isle) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Aldermen Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldermen_Islands) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldermen_Islands?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.