The Aldermen Islands are the remains of eroded Pliocene or Early Pleistocene lava domes that form part of the Whitianga Group.

During the initial exploration of the Aldermen Islands, early observers such as Sladden and Falla,[6][7] and Cochrane[8] failed to identify visible signs of previous Maori habitation.

Captain Cook's historical report from 1769[9] attested to the islands being inhabited, and Wade's observations in 1842,[10] during a temporary sojourn on Ruamahuaiti, noted remnants of huts and an abundance of wild cabbage near Tuatara Bay.

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.

Moreover, historical accounts suggest frequent visits by mutton-birding parties, underscoring the islands' importance as a food source for early Maoris in the region.