Cook Islanders

Cook Islanders are residents of the Cook Islands, which is composed of 15 islands and atolls in Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. Cook Islands Māori are the indigenousPolynesian people of the Cook Islands. Only 15–17% of Cook Islands Māori people live in the Cook Islands now, with New Zealand and Australia each having larger populations. Originating from Tahitian settlers in the sixth century, the Cook Islands Māori bear cultural affinities with New Zealand Māori and Tahitian Mā'ohi, although they have a unique culture and their own language, which is one of two official languages in the Cook Islands.