The Cook Islands are a whole group of islands. The main one is Rarotonga, with the capital Avarua. You can get to Rarotonga by boat, but there is also a big airport, and you can fly in.

The islands have high volcanic mountains in the interior (middle of the island), and sandy beaches with coral reefs and lagoons.

Close-up view of coral reef

The people go to church on Sundays, and sing beautiful songs. Children go with their families.

These children are having a special lunch on Christmas Day.

The Cook Islands govern themselves, but many people find it hard to get jobs, so they go to New Zealand or Australia.

People have been living in the Cook Islands for over 1500 years, much longer than in New Zealand.

Houses are cool and shady, and people grow a lot of their own food in their gardens around their homes.

These girls are wearing garlands made from frangipani flowers, which have a wonderful smell. If people are going to be dancing for visitors, they often sit down and make part of their costumes like this.