Taranaki Mounga, New Zealand's second-highest mountain, has been conferred legal personhood, recognizing its cultural importance to the Taranaki Maori. The mountain, known for its perfect volcanic shape, will legally be represented by a group from both the iwi and the crown. This decision, celebrated by numerous Taranaki iwi members in parliament, marks a significant shift away from its colonial name, Mount Egmont, aligning it with its indigenous heritage. This action fulfills a long-standing promise and reflects growing acknowledgment of the intrinsic relationship between the land and its original inhabitants.
There were mixed feelings among the crowd. After generations of hope being discarded... it is a sad time, but it is also a day to celebrate.
Parliament unanimously voted in favour of a law that would formally confer Taranaki and its surrounding environment the status of a legal person to be named Te Kahui Tupua.
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