New Zealand Grants Legal Personhood to Mount Taranaki

New Zealand passed a groundbreaking law on Thursday granting Mount Taranaki the status of a legal person, acknowledging its cultural significance to Māori iwi as a sacred ancestor, Jurist News reported. This legislation is part of ongoing treaty settlements with Māori communities and reflects a growing trend in New Zealand’s legal framework, where natural features are endowed with rights typically reserved for individuals.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith emphasized that this settlement addresses the “immeasurable harm” caused by historical injustices since the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. The Crown’s land acquisitions in Taranaki have long been a source of resentment among Māori.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer hailed the decision as a victory, stating that “Taranaki is freed from the shackles of muru raupatu (confiscation).” This landmark ruling could set a precedent for recognizing other natural landmarks in New Zealand, challenging traditional views of nature as mere property.