Taranaki Maunga Granted Legal Personhood in New Zealand

In a landmark decision, New Zealand has granted legal personhood to Taranaki Maunga, also known as Mt. Taranaki. This historic settlement comes after years of negotiations and aims to address past injustices faced by the Mฤori people in the Taranaki region. The new law recognizes the mountain as a living entity, allowing it to effectively own itself. Local iwi (tribes) and government representatives will collaborate to manage the mountain and its surrounding areas. This agreement not only compensates the Mฤori for historical wrongs but also acknowledges their deep cultural connection to the land.
Acknowledging Historical Injustices
The Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill was passed by New Zealand’s parliament, marking a significant step towards reconciliation. The law aims to compensate Mฤori for the injustices they suffered during colonization, particularly the widespread confiscation of land. Paul Goldsmith, the government minister responsible for the negotiations, emphasized the importance of acknowledging past wrongs. He stated, “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.”
The settlement includes an official apology from the government for the confiscation of Mt. Taranaki and over a million acres of land in the 1860s. Goldsmith recognized that these breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi have caused immense harm to the whฤnau (wider family), hapลซ (sub-tribe), and iwi of Taranaki over many decades. This acknowledgment is a crucial step in healing the wounds of history and fostering a more equitable future for the Mฤori people.
Cultural Significance of Taranaki Maunga
Taranaki Maunga holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for the eight Taranaki iwi. The mountain is viewed as an ancestor and a living being, embodying the Mฤori worldview. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of the Mฤori Party, expressed the sentiment felt by many when she stated, “Today, Taranaki, our maunga, our maunga tupuna, is released from the shackles of injustice, of ignorance, of hate.” This statement reflects the deep emotional connection that the Mฤori have with the mountain.
Hundreds of Mฤori gathered at parliament to witness the bill’s passage into law, underscoring the communal importance of this event. Aisha Campbell, another member of a Taranaki iwi, highlighted the mountain’s role in uniting the people, saying, “It is what connects us and what binds us together as a people.” The recognition of Taranaki Maunga as a living entity reinforces the Mฤori belief that natural features are integral to their identity and heritage.
Future Management and Accessibility
The new law establishes a framework for the management of Taranaki Maunga, ensuring that local iwi and government representatives work together to protect and preserve the mountain and its surroundings. Importantly, the settlement guarantees that access to the mountain will remain unchanged. Paul Goldsmith assured the public that “all New Zealanders will be able to continue to visit and enjoy this most magnificent place for generations to come.”
This legal recognition of Taranaki Maunga is not an isolated case. It follows similar precedents in New Zealand, where other natural features have been granted legal personhood. The Urewera native forest was the first to receive such status in 2014, followed by the Whanganui River in 2017. These developments signify a growing recognition of the rights of nature and the importance of indigenous perspectives in environmental stewardship.
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