Aldermen Islands facts for kids
A bay on one of the Aldermen Islands.
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mercury Bay in the North Island |
| Coordinates | 36°58′S 176°05′E / 36.967°S 176.083°E |
| Area | 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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, 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of the mouth of the Tairua River.
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, Ruamahuanui, and Ruamahuaiti. Their combined area is 133.5 ha (330 acres). 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.
