Māori cuisine originated from the foods that Māori people brought with them from Polynesia, such as kūmara, taro, and fernroot. Traditional Māori cooking methods included cooking food in earth ovens, boiling or steaming using hot springs or pools, or roasting over an open fire. When Europeans arrived, they introduced new foods like potatoes, wheat, and mutton that were adopted by Māori. Today, New Zealand cuisine shows influences from Māori, British, and Asian traditions, with popular dishes including pies, fish and chips, and pasta.