Rosemary Rock facts for kids

Rosemary Rock is a small, rocky island, about 170 meters long and 40 meters wide at sea level. It rises to a height of about 50 meters. This island is the smallest in the Princes Chain, which is part of the Three Kings archipelago. An archipelago is a group of islands. Rosemary Rock is located about 57 kilometers off the northwestern tip of New Zealand’s North Island. The island got its name from a yacht called Rosemary, which carried scientists to the Three Kings group in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Rosemary Rock - Dark Dome-Shaped Island in the foreground of the island group, 4/5 of the way across the horizon

Plants and Animals of Rosemary Rock

Rosemary Rock is home to several interesting plants and animals. Even though it's a small island, it plays an important role for some species.

Plant Life on the Island

Scientists have recorded several types of plants growing on Rosemary Rock. These include a type of glasswort called Salicornia australis and the New Zealand iceplant. You can also find shore groundsel, taupata, and a kind of goosefoot known as Chenopodium allanii. These plants are tough and can survive in the island's harsh, salty environment.

Bird Colonies and Reproduction

Rosemary Rock is a special place for birds, especially for breeding.

Buller's Albatross Colony

A small group of northern Buller's albatrosses (Thalassarche bulleri platei) uses Rosemary Rock as a breeding site. This colony was only discovered in 1983 and has about 20 pairs of these large seabirds. It's the only known place where this specific type of albatross breeds outside of the Chatham Islands. This makes Rosemary Rock very important for their survival.

Red-Billed Gulls

The island also hosts a large group of red-billed gulls. These gulls are common in New Zealand and often gather in big colonies to nest and raise their young.