Why was New Zealand Mountain granted personhood? Mount Taranaki granted legal rights as a person 

On Thursday, Mount Taranaki in New Zealand became a legal person, signaling a significant change in the nation's policy towards indigenous rights and the environment. The law, which was passed unanimously, ensures the mountain's protection and acknowledges its profound cultural significance to the Māori people by giving it the same rights as a person.

For many years, the local Māori iwi (tribes) have regarded Mount Taranaki as an ancestor, now legally recognized as Taranaki Maunga. However, colonial injustices have marred its history.

British explorer James Cook called it "Mount Egmont" and later the Crown seized it in violation of the Treaty of Waitangi. The majority of the mountains were never given back to the Māori, despite objections.

To address historical injustices, such as the theft of Māori land during the colonization, the New Zealand government and Māori leaders engaged in discussions for years before making this decision.

The new legislation acknowledges the mountain as

"A living and indivisible whole"

The government officials and Māori representatives will share the management of the mountain.

The government minister in charge of the talks, Paul Goldsmith, stressed the significance of righting historic wrongs:

"We must acknowledge the hurt that has been caused by past wrongs, so we can look to the future to support iwi to realize their own aspirations and opportunities."

Additionally, the bill officially revokes the colonial name "Mount Egmont," reclaiming the traditional Māori identity.

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New Zealand's history of granting personhood to nature

This, however, is not the first time New Zealand has granted personhood to an element of nature. Before Mount Taranaki, the two other landmarks which were given personhood were,

Te Urewera Forest in 2014, which was previously a national park, the Tūhoe tribe was given guardianship of this sacred forest, making it the first in the country to be granted personhood status.

In 2017, the Whanganui River was given legal rights, enabling Māori representatives to fight for its protection. The Whanganui iwi views it as an ancestor.

A member of the Taranaki iwi, Aisha Campbell emphasized the significance of these choices:

"The mountain, the river, the forest—they are all living ancestors to us. Their recognition as legal persons means we can finally protect them as they deserve."

New Zealand was the world's first nation to give natural features of personhood. Following New Zealand, other countries have also taken similar actions, these include Ecuador, India, Colombia, and Bolivia which have acknowledged the legal rights of forests, rivers, and other natural features.

It continues to set the standard for integrating Indigenous customs with modern legal systems. By acknowledging Taranaki Maunga as a legal person, it guarantees the preservation of sacred sites for future generations.

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More on the recognition of Mountain Taranaki as a person

Taranaki Maunga now has privileges, responsibilities, and protection that are normally only granted to people because of its legal status. This implies that the mountain's guardians must protect its health and well-being and that damage to the mountain may be legally contested.

A descendant of the Taranaki iwi and co-leader of the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, expressed her feelings regarding the mountain's newfound importance:

"Today, Taranaki, our maunga, our maunga tupuna, is released from the shackles, the shackles of injustice, of ignorance, of hate."

An official apology from the government for the historic land confiscations in the 1860s, which resulted in the removal of over a million acres from Māori villages, is also included in the settlement.

Taranaki Maunga will continue to be accessible to the general public despite its legal status. There will still be hiking, snow sports, and tourism, but there will be more focus on Māori stewardship and conservation. Four Māori representatives and four members nominated by the government will form a governance committee that will be in charge of managing and caring for the mountain.

Goldsmith promised that the landmark will remain accessible to all New Zealanders:

"All New Zealanders will be able to continue to visit and enjoy this most magnificent place for generations to come."