Mt. Taranaki and its surrounding national park will enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of a person under a recent law from New Zealand’s parliament.

The mountain, which is sacred to the indigenous Maori people, will now have its own legal identity. This means it will be treated like a person in the eyes of the law, with representatives speaking on its behalf to protect its well-being.

The mountain is the third natural feature in New Zealand to be conferred personhood. Read more at straitstimes.com.

After the native forest Te Urewera and Whanganui River, New Zealand has now granted legal rights to a mountain. Mount Taranaki, which will be known by its Māori name — Taranaki Maunga, has gotten all the rights and responsibilities of a human being.

A settlement under which a New Zealand mountain has been granted the same legal right as a person has become law after years of negotiations. It means Taranaki Maunga [Mt Taranaki] will effectively own itself, with representatives of the local tribes, iwi, and government working together to manage it.

A mountain in New Zealand considered an ancestor by Indigenous people was recognised as a legal person on Thursday after a new law granted it all the rights and responsibilities of a human being.

Taranaki Maunga, formerly known as Mount Taranaki, is the latest natural feature in New Zealand to be granted legal personhood, following the Whanganui River (Te Awa Tupua) and Te Urewera National Park, according to Radio New Zealand.