New Zealand's Mount Taranaki Recognized as a Legal Person

In a historic move, Mount Taranaki in New Zealand has officially been granted the status of a legal person. The decision follows a new law passed in the country, recognizing the mountain's rights and responsibilities as similar to those of a human being. This recognition holds deep cultural significance for the Māori people, who regard the mountain as a revered ancestor.

Mount Taranaki, now referred to by its Māori name Taranaki Maunga, is the second highest volcano on New Zealand's North Island, standing at 2,518 meters (8,261 feet). It is not only a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts but also holds great cultural importance to the Māori tribes in the region. The legal change marks another step in New Zealand's ongoing efforts to right historical wrongs against Indigenous communities following colonization.

This move makes Taranaki Maunga the latest natural feature in New Zealand to be granted personhood. In previous years, both a sacred river and land were granted similar status, and the recognition of the mountain furthers an ongoing process of redress between the New Zealand government and Māori tribes.

Under the new law, Taranaki Maunga is seen as a living, indivisible entity, encompassing its physical and spiritual elements. The mountain now has an official legal identity called "Te Kāhui Tupua," which is responsible for representing its interests. This entity will consist of both Māori tribal members and representatives appointed by the country's Conservation Minister.

The law acknowledges the historical injustices faced by the Māori people, including the forced confiscation of their land following New Zealand’s colonization. It recognizes the loss of the mountain's spiritual and cultural significance and aims to address these grievances. The new legal status ensures that the mountain's health and wellbeing will be protected, with the intention of preserving traditional practices, conserving native wildlife, and preventing its forced sale.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, a prominent Māori political leader, expressed the significance of the law, stating that Taranaki Maunga, as an ancestral mountain, has now been "released from the shackles of injustice." This move is seen as a crucial step toward acknowledging and restoring the Māori connection to their land and heritage.

New Zealand was the first country in the world to recognize natural features as legal persons, with similar laws passed in 2014 and 2017 for a native forest and a river, respectively. The passing of the law was celebrated in Parliament with a waiata (Māori song) sung by supporters from Taranaki.

This significant development comes at a time when race relations in New Zealand are tense, but the passing of the bill has been seen as a unifying gesture, underscoring the country's ongoing commitment to reconciliation with its Indigenous communities.