In a groundbreaking move, New Zealand has recognized Taranaki Maunga, a revered mountain, as a legal person. This landmark decision, which was unanimously passed by Parliament's 123 lawmakers on Thursday, accords the mountain all the rights and responsibilities of a human being. The recognition serves as a significant step in addressing historical grievances and restoring cultural integrity for the Indigenous Māori people.
The designation of personhood for Taranaki Maunga is part of an agreement of redress between New Zealand's government and the Indigenous populations. This agreement aims to atone for the harms inflicted since colonization, notably the confiscation of Taranaki land in 1865 by the Crown as a punitive measure against Māori resistance. The mountain, considered an ancestor by the Indigenous people and a sacred site, now stands as a symbol of reconciliation and respect.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, a prominent advocate for Māori rights, expressed her sentiments on this historic occasion.
“Today, Taranaki, our maunga, our maunga tupuna, is released from the shackles, the shackles of injustice, of ignorance, of hate,” – Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
The new law not only grants Taranaki Maunga legal personhood but also establishes a governance framework to protect its interests. A newly formed entity will serve as the mountain's representative voice, consisting of four members from local Māori iwi and four members appointed by New Zealand's Conservation Minister. This structure ensures that both cultural and environmental interests are safeguarded, reflecting a balanced approach to stewardship.
Historically, New Zealand has pioneered the recognition of natural features as people. In 2014, Te Urewera, a vast native forest on the North Island, was granted personhood. This was followed in 2017 by the Whanganui River's acknowledgment as a legal person. These precedents highlight New Zealand’s commitment to integrating Indigenous perspectives into legal frameworks and underscore the country's evolving relationship with its natural environment.
Paul Goldsmith, another figure involved in advocating for Māori rights, highlighted the cultural significance of the mountain.
“The mountain has long been an honored ancestor, a source of physical, cultural and spiritual sustenance and a final resting place,” – Paul Goldsmith
The historical context of this decision is deeply rooted in New Zealand's colonial past. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs, had differing interpretations in its Māori and English versions. Breaches of this treaty began almost immediately, leading to decades of conflict and dispossession for the Māori people. The protest movements of the 1970s and '80s catalyzed significant changes in New Zealand law, fostering greater recognition for Māori language, culture, and rights.
The recent recognition of Taranaki Maunga as a legal person fulfills an agreement made in 2023 with the eight tribes of Taranaki. This agreement is part of broader efforts towards redress that include billions of dollars in settlements under the Treaty of Waitangi framework. These settlements are designed to rectify past injustices and promote enduring partnerships between the government and Māori communities.
Ngarewa-Packer further emphasized the enduring connection between the Māori people and their ancestral lands.
“We grew up knowing there was nothing anyone could do to make us any less connected,” – Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
Taranaki Maunga stands as an emblematic feature on New Zealand's landscape. The pristine, snow-capped dormant volcano rises to 2,518 meters (8,261 feet), making it the second-highest peak on the North Island. Originally named Mount Egmont by British explorer Captain James Cook in 1770, its recognition as Taranaki Maunga honors its Indigenous heritage and significance.
