In a historic legal first, New Zealand has declared Taranaki Maunga (Mount Taranaki) a living entity with the same legal rights as a human—cementing Indigenous beliefs into law and reshaping environmental justice.
Passed under the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill, this bold decision recognizes the Māori view that sacred natural landmarks are ancestors, giving the mountain the right to “own itself.” The bill also restores its original Māori name, replacing the colonial-era Mount Egmont.
A unique governance structure, comprising eight local Iwi (tribes) and the government, will now oversee the mountain’s well-being. The agreement includes a formal government apology for land confiscations and injustices suffered by Māori communities.
This move follows New Zealand’s precedent-setting decision to grant legal personhood to the Whanganui River, further solidifying its commitment to Indigenous rights and environmental protection.
With nature now holding legal rights, could this be the future of global environmental justice?
New Zealand’s bold move may just spark a worldwide revolution!
