Cook Islands Māori communities in Aotearoa

Each of the islands in the Cook Islands has its own identity, social structures and dialect. A family's enua anauanga (islands of origin) and extended family are key to their identity, but families also have kinship links to people from different areas.

The way communities are centred around their islands is different to other indigenous Pacific communities, which are often centred around their village or connected by religion.

Cook Islands society has a hierarchical, collective, tribal structure. 

• Each individual is seen to contribute to a larger group such as family, church, and community. 

• Each individual has a role to play that supports and complements the roles of others. 

Cook Islands communities include mataiapo (chiefs or leaders) and ariki (paramount chiefs), who are mainly based in the Cook Islands. Leaders in Aotearoa might be senior family members of extended families ( kòpù tangata kòpù tangata Ancestral faminly Cook Islands Māori | Noun ), community leaders such as church ministers (orometua), healers (ta'unga) and other respected individuals.

Parents have complementary roles in the family. Women influence family decision-making and are income earners. Increasingly, men are taking on a greater role in domestic duties. 

Traditionally, Cook Islands children are represented by their parents or other adult family members in formal discussions. The role of children is changing and it is becoming more acceptable for them to speak in less formal gatherings, with the permission of a parent or elder.

Traditionally, Cook Islands Māori do not use titles for ‘aunty’ and ‘uncle’. People in these roles are called mama or papa. A cousin is referred to as tua’ine tua’ine Sister Cook Islands Māori | Noun (sister), tungàne tungàne Brother Cook Islands Māori | Noun (brother) or tuakana tuakana Older cousin Cook Islands Māori | Noun (older) or teina teina Younger cousin Cook Islands Māori | Noun (younger).