PHOTO: Taranaki Maunga. RE NEWS
Taranaki Maunga Gains Human Rights: Historic New Zealand Law to Protect Sacred Mountain
Taranaki Maunga, one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural landmarks, is set to gain the legal rights of a human being under the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill, which becomes law on January 30. This historic legislation recognizes the cultural, spiritual, and ancestral significance of the mountain to local iwi (tribes) and enshrines it as a legal person, to be called Te Kāhui Tupua.
The new law means any harm or mistreatment of Taranaki Maunga will carry the same legal weight as harming a person. This milestone aligns with New Zealand’s broader efforts to acknowledge the rights of nature, including granting legal personhood to the Whanganui River in 2017.
A Mountain With a Voice
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is now calling for nominations for a governance panel to represent the mountain, which is also known as Te Papa-Kura o Taranaki. This eight-member panel, Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi, will include four Crown representatives and four traditional owners, tasked with being the “human face and voice” of the mountain.
DOC stated that ideal candidates should have expertise in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), environmental management, nature conservation, governance, and community leadership. Nominations are open until February 12 for the panel and January 31 for the conservation board, which will include three members representing Taranaki Whanganui iwi.
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Cultural and Historical Reconciliation
The legislation also fulfills the Crown’s agreement to recognize Taranaki Maunga as an ancestral mountain, marking an apology for historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. While no financial or commercial compensation is included, the Crown has formally relinquished ownership of the mountain, paving the way for iwi to guide its management and preservation.
Jamie Tuuta, who led negotiations for the redress, described this moment as “weaving a foundation for reconciliation” and emphasized the importance of creating a platform for future generations.
Taranaki Maunga in New Zealand has gained the rights of a human being after a new bill passed the country’s parliament
A Symbol of National and Global Significance
Taranaki Maunga, a dormant volcano last active in 1775, is a major tourist attraction and cultural icon. Named one of the world’s best destinations by Lonely Planet, it is also New Zealand’s most climbed mountain. The park surrounding the mountain will be renamed Te Papa-Kura o Taranaki, reflecting its cultural significance and ensuring its protection for years to come.
This groundbreaking legislation highlights New Zealand’s commitment to honoring its natural environment and the rights of its Indigenous people, setting an example for reconciliation and sustainability on the global stage.
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL