New Zealand mountain granted legal personhood

On January 30, 2025, Mount Taranaki in New Zealand was granted legal personhood under a new law, recognizing it as a living entity with rights and responsibilities akin to a human being. Renamed Taranaki Maunga, the mountain holds deep ancestral and cultural significance for the Māori people. This legal recognition aims to preserve the mountain's wellbeing and prevent misuse, following similar designations for Te Urewera forest and the Whanganui River. Governance will be managed by a representative entity comprising local Māori iwi members and government appointees.