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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.
31:
310:
167:
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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,
270:
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
297:
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
249:
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 Falla hinted at evidence of
253:
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
245:
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
352:
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
228:
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
246:
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.
298:
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.
241:
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.
288:
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.
174:
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:
540:
426:
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reveals concentrations of shell midden. N45/4, the largest and most intriguing site, features stone retaining walls and terraces, suggesting potential use for cultivation.
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500:
Bell, B.D.; Bell, L.C.; Blackburn, A.; Falla, R.A.; Sladden, B. (1951-8). "Records of visits to Aldermen Islands." Internal Affairs Dept. File 46/29/13.
473:
Cochrane, G.R. (1962). "The Aldermen Islands: A remnant of primaeval New Zealand." Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Botany, 1, 331-41.
533:
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Falla, R. A. (1953). "Change and adjustment in plant and animal communities." New Zealand Ecological Society Report. 2nd Annual Meeting, 3-4.
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Wharton, W.J.L. (Ed.) (1893). "Captain Cook's Journal during his voyage round the world made in H.M. Bark 'Endeavour', 1768-1771."
206:. Their combined area is 133.5 ha (330 acres). The islands are a forested nature reserve hosting rare species including the
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Sladden, B.; Falla, R.A. (1927). "Alderman Islands." New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology, 9, 193-205.
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Sladden, B; Falla, R.A. (1928). "Alderman Islands." New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology, 9, 282-90.
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Moore, P. R. (1973). "Evidence of former Maori occupation of the Aldermen Islands." Tane, 19, 21-29.
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that form part of the Whitianga Group. Approximately 18,000 years ago during the
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364:"Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service (recorded area 133.5463 ha)"
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flowed south of the features, travelling eastwards towards the Pacific Ocean.
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Wade, W.R. (1842). "A Journey in the Northern Island of New Zealand."
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distinct possibility that additional sites exist on the islands.
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159:, 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of the mouth of the
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are a small group of rocky islets to the southeast of
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National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
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213:The Aldermen Islands are the remains of eroded
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155:. They are located off the coast of the
16:Island group in Mercury Bay, New Zealand
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35:A bay on one of the Aldermen Islands.
7:
909:Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-A-Hei
1130:Uninhabited islands of New Zealand
104:1.3 km (0.50 sq mi)
14:
261:Location of archeological remains
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863:Motueka Island / Pigeon Island
853:Mahurangi Island / Goat Island
324:List of islands of New Zealand
190:. The smaller islands include
1:
271:extends higher up the gully.
368:Land Information New Zealand
210:. Access is by permit only.
1025:Whitianga Festival of Speed
170:Map of the Andermen Islands
1171:
1135:Thames-Coromandel District
958:Facilities and attractions
550:Thames-Coromandel District
560:
113:
40:
28:
1067:The Mercury Bay Informer
581:Coromandel-Colville Ward
394:Global Volcanism Program
399:Smithsonian Institution
1155:Pleistocene lava domes
1010:Thames School of Mines
1005:Thames railway station
965:Coromandel Forest Park
262:
171:
970:Driving Creek Railway
260:
169:
1145:Volcanoes of Waikato
1015:Whangamata Beach Hop
226:Last Glacial Maximum
157:Coromandel Peninsula
1150:Pliocene lava domes
1102: /
1020:Whitianga Aerodrome
892:Geographic features
802:Tairua-Pauanui C.B.
81: /
25:
1140:Islands of Waikato
1106:36.967°S 176.083°E
1077:Thames High School
975:Hauraki Rail Trail
949:Whangapoua Harbour
389:"Alderman Islands"
263:
202:, Half Island and
172:
85:36.967°S 176.083°E
1085:
1084:
985:Pauanui Aerodrome
929:Kauaeranga Valley
868:Motukawao Islands
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423:"Estuary origins"
219:Early Pleistocene
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1111:-36.967; 176.083
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1103:
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1051:Regional Council
1041:District Council
1000:Thames Aerodrome
914:Colville Channel
883:Whanganui Island
843:Aldermen Islands
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622:Mercury Bay Ward
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574:Populated places
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141:Aldermen Islands
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90:-36.967; 176.083
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24:Aldermen Islands
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919:Firth of Thames
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858:Mercury Islands
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776:Whangamatā C.B.
769:South West Ward
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659:New Chums Beach
644:Hot Water Beach
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329:List of islands
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200:Nga Horo Island
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878:Slipper Island
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873:Poikeke Island
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316:Islands portal
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109:Administration
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1060:Organisations
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990:Siamese Kauri
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944:Thames Valley
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899:Cape Colville
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848:Castle Island
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588:Cape Colville
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275:Middle Island
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1072:Ngāti Rongoū
995:Square Kauri
939:Moehau Range
924:Hauraki Gulf
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755:Thornton Bay
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430:. Retrieved
402:. Retrieved
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371:. Retrieved
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231:Tairua River
212:
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161:Tairua River
149:North Island
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125:Demographics
115:
58:North Island
20:
18:
1109: /
980:Kopu Bridge
934:Mercury Bay
904:Castle Rock
725:Ngarimu Bay
698:Thames Ward
669:Rings Beach
664:Otama Beach
629:Cooks Beach
603:Kennedy Bay
554:New Zealand
373:3 September
284:Ruamahuaiti
266:Ruamahuanui
196:Little Hump
188:Ruamahuaiti
184:Ruamahuanui
153:New Zealand
145:Mercury Bay
117:New Zealand
88: /
64:Coordinates
54:Mercury Bay
1124:Categories
1034:Government
793:Whangamata
710:Kauaeranga
684:Whenuakite
679:Whangapoua
674:Te Rerenga
613:Motutakapu
598:Coromandel
432:3 November
353:Australia.
340:References
237:Archeology
222:lava domes
130:Population
689:Whitianga
654:Matarangi
204:The Spire
45:Geography
1097:176°05′E
788:Opoutere
720:Matatoki
705:Hikutaia
649:Kūaotunu
634:Coroglen
593:Colville
302:See also
293:Hongiora
215:Pliocene
192:Big Hump
176:Hongiora
76:176°05′E
50:Location
1094:36°58′S
836:Islands
814:Pauanui
783:Onemana
745:Te Puru
740:Te Mata
404:12 June
208:tuatara
147:in the
73:36°58′S
56:in the
819:Tairua
809:Hikuai
760:Waiomu
750:Thames
730:Puriri
608:Manaia
567:Thames
186:, and
180:Middle
1046:Mayor
639:Hahei
735:Tapu
715:Kopu
563:Seat
434:2021
406:2020
375:2019
139:The
101:Area
217:or
151:of
1126::
565::
552:,
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414:^
397:.
391:.
366:.
198:,
194:,
182:,
178:,
163:.
542:e
535:t
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408:.
377:.
133:0
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
