In a landmark decision, New Zealand’s second-highest mountain on the North Island, Taranaki Mounga, has been granted legal personhood, making it the country’s third natural feature to receive such status.
The move, which follows a promise made in 2017, was passed unanimously by parliament, acknowledging the mountain’s cultural and spiritual significance to Taranaki Māori.
Taranaki Mounga, renowned for its near-perfect volcanic cone, is one of New Zealand’s most visited natural landmarks. Its new status grants it the same legal rights, duties, and protections as an individual, with its interests to be represented by a collective of appointees from both iwi (tribes) and the Crown. The surrounding peaks and natural environment will also be included under this new legal framework, collectively named Te Kāhui Tupua.
The recognition is of particular importance to Taranaki Māori, who regard the mountain as an ancestor. The decision also marks a symbolic step in restoring Māori heritage, as it will now be referred to solely by its Māori name, replacing the colonial designation, Mount Egmont. Other surrounding geographical features will also revert to their original Māori names.
The final reading of the bill was met with celebration in Wellington, where hundreds of Taranaki iwi members gathered to witness the moment. The passing of the law was accompanied by waiata (song), signifying the deep emotional impact of the decision. Jamie Tuuta, chief negotiator for Taranaki Mounga, described the moment as bittersweet, acknowledging the long struggle for recognition and the many who had fought for this acknowledgment but did not live to see it realised.
The legal recognition of Taranaki Mounga is the culmination of a process that began with the Treaty of Waitangi settlement in 2016. That agreement included financial compensation and a formal apology from the Crown over its historical breaches of the treaty, particularly during the Taranaki Wars of the 19th century. During that period, 1.2 million acres of Māori land, including the mountain, were confiscated. The loss displaced the iwi and severed their connection to ancestral lands and traditional resources.
Taranaki joins Te Urewera (granted personhood in 2014) and the Whanganui River (in 2017) as the latest natural feature to receive legal recognition as a person.
The move represents a growing effort to integrate Māori perspectives into New Zealand’s legal system, acknowledging the deep spiritual and environmental bonds between Indigenous communities and their land.
Speaking about the implications of this designation, Tuuta emphasised the need for a shift in public attitudes towards significant natural sites. He noted that legal personhood was a way to reflect the Māori worldview within the framework of Western law. “When we view them as ancestors, we change how we behave towards them,” he said. The new arrangement will include guidelines for how visitors should treat the mountain, with an emphasis on fostering respect and self-regulation.
The bill was passed with rare cross-party consensus, with representatives from all political factions recognising the significance of the moment. Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Treaty Negotiations, described it as a “historic day” and a step towards repairing the relationship between the Crown and Taranaki iwi. He acknowledged the resilience of the iwi and paid tribute to their ancestors who endured significant hardship.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, described the confiscation of the mountain as one of the greatest injustices of colonisation. While the legal change does not return ownership of the land to Māori, she stressed that it represented an important acknowledgment of their ancestral connection. “Our mountain was never a Crown asset – it is our ancestor, the living embodiment of our identity,” she said.
The granting of legal personhood to natural features is an evolving aspect of New Zealand’s legal system, reflecting a broader effort to address historical injustices and incorporate Indigenous values into governance.
While the law does not return ownership of Taranaki Mounga to Māori, it represents a significant step towards recognising and respecting the deep cultural ties between the land and its traditional guardians. As the framework for Te Kāhui Tupua is implemented, the success of this initiative will depend on the continued cooperation of iwi, the government, and the wider public in ensuring the protection and respect of Taranaki Mounga.
Image source: www.stratford.govt.nz
