The Cook Islands are an archipelago located in the South Pacific. They were settled by Polynesians, probably from Tahiti, 700 miles away, some time in the first millennium CE. From there, Polynesians went to settle other islands, including New Zealand. The Maori native population of the Cook Islands speaks a language similar to that of New Zealand Maoris and the two peoples share cultural similarities. Most of the Cook Islands population of about 15,000 people is Maori, with only about 15% having other origins.
While the Cook Islands consist of fifteen islands, two thirds of the population live in Rarotonga, the largest island. Another 1800 people live in Aitutaki, the nation capital, with the rest of the mostly small islands having very few inhabitants. Despite its tiny size, the Cook Islands are recognized as an independent country by the US, though they are officially associated with New Zealand and all its citizens are also citizens of the larger country.
The Cook Islands' economy mostly depends on tourism and tax/asset sheltering for rich people - though I doubt much of the native population benefits from the latter.
Cook Island cuisine reflects its Polynesian origins and the items available in the islands. Seafood, coconuts and taro - brought with them by the first Polynesians - are staples, now complemented by foreign exports.
For my quick sojourn into the cuisine of the Cook Islands, I made:
