The Aldermen Islands are a small group of rocky islets to the southeast of

Mercury Bay Mercury Bay is a large V-shaped bay on the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand. It was named by the English navigator Captain James Cook during his exploratory expeditions. It was first named ''Te-Whan ...

in the

North Island The North Island ( , 'the fish of Māui', historically New Ulster) is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but less populous South Island by Cook Strait. With an area of , it is the List ...

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

. They are located off the coast of the

Coromandel Peninsula The Coromandel Peninsula () on the North Island of New Zealand extends north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier protecting the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west from the Pacific Ocean ...

, east of the mouth of the

Tairua River The Tairua River is a river located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. It flows north and then northeast for a total of 35 kilometers (22 miles) from its source in the Coromandel Range, west of Wh ...

The islands were named 'the Court of Aldermen' by Captain Cook and his crew on 3 November 1769 after previously naming Mayor Island. The Aldermen group consists of four main islands: Hongiora,

Middle Middle or The Middle may refer to: * Centre (geometry), the point equally distant from the outer limits. Places * Middle (sheading), a subdivision of the Isle of Man * Middle Bay (disambiguation) * Middle Brook (disambiguation) * Middle Creek ...

, Ruamahuanui, and Ruamahuaiti. The smaller islands include Big Hump, Little Hump, Nga Horo Island, Half Island and

The Spire ''The Spire'' is a 1964 novel by English author William Golding. "A dark and powerful portrait of one man's will", it deals with the construction of a 404-foot-high spire loosely based on Salisbury Cathedral,Paul, Leslie. "The Spire That St ...

. Their combined area is . The islands are a forested nature reserve hosting rare species including the

tuatara The tuatara (''Sphenodon punctatus'') is a species of reptile endemic to New Zealand. Despite its close resemblance to lizards, it is actually the only extant member of a distinct lineage, the previously highly diverse order Rhynchocephal ...

. Access is by permit only. The Aldermen Islands are the remains of eroded

Pliocene The Pliocene ( ; also Pleiocene) is the epoch (geology), epoch in the geologic time scale that extends from 5.33 to 2.58Early Pleistocene The Early Pleistocene is an unofficial epoch (geology), sub-epoch in the international geologic timescale in chronostratigraphy, representing the earliest division of the Pleistocene Epoch within the ongoing Quaternary Period. It is currently esti ...

lava dome In volcanology, a lava dome is a circular, mound-shaped protrusion resulting from the slow extrusion of viscous lava from a volcano. Dome-building eruptions are common, particularly in convergent plate boundary settings. Around 6% of eruptions ...

s that form part of the Whitianga Group. Approximately 18,000 years ago during the

Last Glacial Maximum The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), also referred to as the Last Glacial Coldest Period, was the most recent time during the Last Glacial Period where ice sheets were at their greatest extent between 26,000 and 20,000 years ago. Ice sheets covered m ...

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. When sea levels were lower, the

flowed south of the features, travelling eastwards towards the Pacific Ocean.

Archeology

The scholarly investigation into the evidence of past Maori occupation on the Aldermen Islands is thoroughly documented by Moore. This research integrates insights from a variety of historical accounts and field observations reported by different authors. During the initial exploration of the Aldermen Islands, early observers such as Sladden and Falla, and Cochrane failed to identify visible signs of previous Maori habitation. However, the investigations conducted by Bell et al. during the years 1951-58 unveiled intriguing indications on both Ruamahuanui and Middle Island. Captain Cook's historical report from 1769 attested to the islands being inhabited, and Wade's observations in 1842, during a temporary sojourn on Ruamahuaiti, noted remnants of huts and an abundance of wild cabbage near Tuatara Bay. The detailed description of the islands became available following the visit by Sladden and Falla (cit. opt.), and Cochrane's subsequent visit in 1959 concluded that the vegetation appeared to be "culturally unmodified." Nevertheless, earlier reports by Bell et al. and FallaFalla, R. A. (1953). "Change and adjustment in plant and animal communities." New Zealand Ecological Society Report. 2nd Annual Meeting, 3-4. hinted at evidence of firing on at least some of the islands. The islands are home to a substantial population of Pterodroma macroptera (grey-faced petrel) and Sphenodon punctatus (tuatara), both known for constructing burrows. The combined impact of intensive burrowing, particularly evident in areas like Hongiora, along with controlled burning, is presumed to have played a pivotal role in effacing traces of an earlier Maori population. A crucial component of this investigation includes archaeological site descriptions compiled during the Auckland University Field Club scientific camp in May 1972. Although these descriptions and accompanying sketch maps are concise due to time constraints and limited equipment, there remains a distinct possibility that additional sites exist on the islands. Aldermen Islands archeo

Ruamahuanui

A singular recorded site (N45/1, refer to the figure in the article) aligns with Blackburn's observation in 1958. This site features a small terrace, approximately 12 m by 6 m, situated 10 m above the beach, with stone walls on two sides. Evidence of shell midden is scattered across the terrace and extends higher up the gully.

Middle Island

Three recorded sites include N45/2, positioned on a southward-sloping ridge over 40 m above steep cliffs. Access to this site is possible via a steep gully or a narrow, treacherous ridge. Obsidian, shell, and fish bones were found scattered in the area. N45/3, a small terrace 5–6 m above the beach, reveals concentrations of shell midden. N45/4, the largest and most intriguing site, features stone retaining walls and terraces, suggesting potential use for cultivation.

Ruamahuaiti

Prominent terracing on this island (N45/5) consists of nine major levels located on the most northern ridge. This site reveals evidence of shell, fish bones, obsidian, and artifacts, indicating possible Archaic Maori occupation.

Hongiora

While no specific sites were recorded, two obsidian flakes were collected near a freshwater spring. The discussion incorporates evidence related to stonework, pits, shell middens, and vegetation on the islands. The proximity to Mayor Is., a significant source of obsidian, raises the possibility of the islands being used for temporary shelter or visitation by coastal-traveling parties. Moreover, historical accounts suggest frequent visits by mutton-birding parties, underscoring the islands' importance as a food source for early Maoris in the region.

References