Week 5 Introduction Thread: Aotearoa

In honor of New Zealand being hours ahead of most of the developed world, this post is being made days late.

Anyway, this week is Aotearoa, which is the Maori-language name for New Zealand. So, cook something from that land mass with a focus on the indigenous culture. Or, whatever. As always, cook what you want.

Although most commonly associated with The Philippines, ube is thought to be native to present-day New Zealand. Earthworms, or noke, were also a major staple in the pre-colonial diet, so.... bon appetit.

Many of the staple meats, like muttonbird or paua, aren't really available anywhere else, but you can still build a traditional hāngī to cook other meats in, if you want

You can also just choose to cook something that a Maori person would cook in the present day, like a lasagna for one.