Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks) consist of three andesitic rock stacks or pinnacles that rise to approximately 113 metres above sea level. The pinnacles are geologically linked to the active andesitic volcano of White Island.
Large schools of pelagic and reef fish are found within the boundaries of the marine reserve and some species are locally rare due to the unique convergence of oceanic and subtropical currents at this southern location.