New Zealand High Sea

North of New Zealand, the Three Kings Ridge extends beneath the sea toward the southwest Pacific. Its southern end rises near the Three Kings Islands, a group of steep, rocky islands northwest of Cape Reinga. In January 1643 Abel Tasman's ships sought fresh water there. Heavy surf, a rocky shore and the presence of islanders who called out from the cliffs discouraged the Dutch from landing, and they sailed on towards Tonga.