Taranaki Mounga in New Zealand granted same legal rights as a person

As part of the LUMEN project’s commitment to advancing the integration of indigenous perspectives into legal systems, we highlight the recent legal recognition of Taranaki Mounga (formerly Mount Egmont) in New Zealand.

This landmark decision grants the mountain, along with its surrounding peaks, the same legal rights, duties, and protections as a person. The decision, which has long been awaited by the Taranaki Māori iwi, acknowledges the spiritual and ancestral significance of the mountain, marking a major shift in the relationship between indigenous peoples and natural features in New Zealand.

Read the whole news at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/30/taranaki-mounga-new-zealands-second-highest-mountain-granted-same-legal-rights-as-a-person