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History
Associated state with New Zealand
They consist of some remote islands South West of Samoa. Most
of the people appear to have come from Samoa and Tonga, the same
peoples who later colonized New Zealand. Thus the languages of
the people are similar to those of New Zealand.
Settlement seems to have been at least as early as 1100. Spaniards
first visited in 1595. Cook visited in 1773, 1774 and 1777. Missions
began in 1821.
A British protectorate over Rarotonga was proclaimed in 1888.
Some other islands in the group were added in 1892. Peruvian
slavers visited in the 1860s and took many of the people away,
never to return. New Zealand annexed the islands in 1901. The
islanders now have associated status with New Zealand. Many of
the people have migrated to New Zealand where they live alongside
the Maori population.
The population is about 18,000.
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