The Islands of Pukapuka and Nassau in the north have their own, Samoan influenced language. The Cook Islanders embraced Christianity and are now a very religious people whose faith has become integral to daily life. Much of the community's social life is centred on their church. Sunday is kept as a day of worship and rest. Almost two-thirds of the people belong to the Cook Islands Christian Church, with Roman Catholics, Latter Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventists, Assemblies of God and Baha'i also represented.
Visitors are welcome to join services, where the unaccompanied singing is glorious and fervent.
The congregation is always dressed smartly, with the women wearing white dresses and their distinctive rito hats. The pre-European religion of the Cook Islanders had 71 gods who resided with the spirits in 12 heavens 7 above the sun and 5 below it. As there is a relatively high standard of living, most islanders live in modern houses made of cement blocks, timber or tin, though there are still some traditional grass huts in the more remote villages. Women are very proud of their gardens and take great care to keep them bright and tidy. Tourism is now the major revenue earner for the country, with 50,000 tourists arriving annually.