**The historic Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passed by New Zealand's parliament marks an important step towards recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands.**
**New Zealand Mountain Granted Legal Personhood in Landmark Agreement**
**New Zealand Mountain Granted Legal Personhood in Landmark Agreement**
**New legislation gives Mt Taranaki the same rights as an individual, in a move to compensate Māori communities.**
In a landmark decision, New Zealand's parliament has passed the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill, bestowing legal personhood upon Mount Taranaki. This unprecedented move signifies that the mountain will essentially "own" itself, with authority shared among the local Māori tribes, or iwi, and government representatives for its management. The legislation comes as a form of reconciliation for historical injustices faced by the Māori community, particularly in light of extensive land confiscations during colonization.
During a parliamentary session, Paul Goldsmith, the minister overseeing the negotiations, emphasized the importance of acknowledging past wrongs to build a brighter future. "We must acknowledge the hurt caused by historical injustices to support iwi in realizing their aspirations and opportunities," he stated. The new legislation not only grants the mountain its legal recognition but also safeguards its surrounding lands and peaks.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of the Māori political party Te Pāti Māori, celebrated the passage of the bill, stating, "Today, Taranaki, our maunga, our maunga tupuna, is released from the shackles of injustice, of ignorance, of hate." The legislation also mandates that henceforth, the mountain will not be referred to as Egmont, the name given by British explorer James Cook, but will retain its original Māori name, Taranaki Maunga, along with a new designation for the adjacent national park.
Aisha Campbell, another member of a Taranaki iwi, expressed her pride in witnessing this historic event, underlining the deep cultural significance of the mountain as a communal bond. The passing of this settlement continues New Zealand's ongoing efforts to rectify breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, which affirmed indigenous rights to land and resources. Furthermore, it culminated in a government apology for the confiscation of Mt Taranaki and over a million acres of land from Māori in the 1860s.
Goldsmith also reassured the public that public access to the mountain will remain unchanged, allowing all New Zealanders to appreciate this natural treasure for future generations. Mt Taranaki is not the first natural feature in New Zealand to receive legal personhood; similar status was granted to the Urewera native forest in 2014 and the Whanganui River in 2017. This reflective movement underscores an evolving recognition of Māori rights and heritage in shaping New Zealand’s legal landscape.
During a parliamentary session, Paul Goldsmith, the minister overseeing the negotiations, emphasized the importance of acknowledging past wrongs to build a brighter future. "We must acknowledge the hurt caused by historical injustices to support iwi in realizing their aspirations and opportunities," he stated. The new legislation not only grants the mountain its legal recognition but also safeguards its surrounding lands and peaks.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of the Māori political party Te Pāti Māori, celebrated the passage of the bill, stating, "Today, Taranaki, our maunga, our maunga tupuna, is released from the shackles of injustice, of ignorance, of hate." The legislation also mandates that henceforth, the mountain will not be referred to as Egmont, the name given by British explorer James Cook, but will retain its original Māori name, Taranaki Maunga, along with a new designation for the adjacent national park.
Aisha Campbell, another member of a Taranaki iwi, expressed her pride in witnessing this historic event, underlining the deep cultural significance of the mountain as a communal bond. The passing of this settlement continues New Zealand's ongoing efforts to rectify breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, which affirmed indigenous rights to land and resources. Furthermore, it culminated in a government apology for the confiscation of Mt Taranaki and over a million acres of land from Māori in the 1860s.
Goldsmith also reassured the public that public access to the mountain will remain unchanged, allowing all New Zealanders to appreciate this natural treasure for future generations. Mt Taranaki is not the first natural feature in New Zealand to receive legal personhood; similar status was granted to the Urewera native forest in 2014 and the Whanganui River in 2017. This reflective movement underscores an evolving recognition of Māori rights and heritage in shaping New Zealand’s legal landscape.
