A historic moment for environmental and cultural preservation is unfolding in New Zealand, as Mount Taranaki and its surrounding peaks are set to gain legal personhood under the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill, becoming law on January 30, 2025.

The new legislation will officially recognize the peaks, collectively known as Te Kāhui Tupua, as ancestral mountains, granting them the same legal rights as a human being. This status ensures that harming or mistreating the mountain will carry the same legal weight as harming a Māori tribe.

Mount Taranaki, a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1775, holds immense cultural and spiritual significance to the region’s iwi (tribes). It is also a popular destination for hikers, known as the most frequently climbed mountain in New Zealand.

A step toward reconciliation

The law is a significant milestone in addressing the historical injustices faced by the Māori people regarding the confiscation of Taranaki Maunga. The Crown has formally apologized for breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, though the redress does not include financial compensation.

Jamie Tuuta, who led the negotiations for the new laws, described the move as “weaving a foundation for reconciliation.” He emphasized that the legislation not only recognizes the ancestral significance of the mountain but also provides a framework for building stronger relationships between generations.

“This is about more than just acknowledging the mountain as our ancestor. It’s about setting a platform for reconciliation that benefits both our iwi and future generations,” Tuuta said.

Governance and oversight

A new governance structure will oversee the mountain’s management, blending traditional Māori values with modern conservation practices. A panel known as Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi will consist of four traditional owners from local iwi and four Crown representatives, acting as the “human face and voice” of the mountain.

The panel will guide all decisions and policies related to the mountain and its surrounding area, which will be renamed Te Papa-Kura o Taranaki. All new management plans will require joint approval from the conservation minister and a group called Te Tōpuni Ngārahu, composed of iwi representatives.

The Department of Conservation will retain day-to-day management but will operate under the values set by the new committee, ensuring alignment with Māori cultural, spiritual, and environmental priorities.

Broader implications

This is not the first time New Zealand has granted legal personhood to a natural entity. The Whanganui River received a similar status in 2017. These moves highlight New Zealand’s commitment to integrating Māori perspectives and environmental stewardship into its legal framework.

Former Treaty Settlements Minister Andrew Little, who signed the redress agreement in 2023, underscored the importance of this initiative. “The cultural, spiritual, ancestral, and historical values of the land are now enshrined in law,” Little said.

What’s next?

Nominations for positions on the governance panel will remain open until February 12, 2025, while applications for the conservation board will close on January 31. As New Zealand embarks on this groundbreaking legal and cultural journey, the recognition of Taranaki Maunga as a legal person represents a profound step forward in respecting indigenous values and preserving natural heritage for future generations.


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