New Zealand’s Mount Taranaki, also known as Taranaki Maunga, has been legally recognized as a corporation with human rights and responsibilities under a new law passed by the government. This legislation acknowledges the historical injustices faced by the Māori people, including the colonization that saw their ancestral lands and mountains appropriated. The legal personality granted to the mountain, named Tekāhuitupua, signifies its status as “alive and inseparable” from the physical and spiritual elements of the region.
The law establishes a governance structure featuring four members from local Māori tribes and four appointed by the government. This recognition aims to restore Māori rights and promote the health and cultural significance of the mountain, enhancing the connection between the land and its indigenous people. Historically, Māori have been marginalized in land management decisions since the colonization period and subsequent breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The law was supported unanimously by 123 parliamentarians, reflecting a significant moment in New Zealand’s efforts to reconcile with its indigenous communities amid ongoing social tensions. Previous similar recognitions include Te Urewera and the Whanganui River. Despite the positive vote, there remains public dissent regarding the implications of Māori rights and the Treaty.
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