A mountain received the status of person (and responds before the law)

Yes, it’s literally a person, yes, it’s a mountain. And this is not the first time that has happened in New Zealand – the reason is political.

A mountain in New Zealand received the title of person. No, it’s not figurative: from now on, the mountain comes to have a legal personality, rights and duties, says a.

Your “person” is called Te Kāhui Tupua, quite different from the original name of the mountain, monte taranaki. The law was unanimously passed by the 123 deputies of Parliament.

Now, an entity consisting of four members of the local Māori tribe and four individuals appointed by the country’s conservation minister will be “the face and voice” of the mountain, according to the law.

Taranaki is quite popular for hiking and sports, being the second tallest on the northern island of New Zealand, with 2,518 meters altitude. Now it is considered a person, “incorporating all its physical and metaphysical elements.”

In truth, This is not the first time In which an element of nature is considered by the New Zealand state as a person: there is already a river, Whanganui, and an extension of land considered “sacred” to the Māori people who are by law.

What is this attitude of the government for?

This is a measure adopted by the New Zealander state as a way to “reward” the Māori tribes for the damage caused throughout the country’s history.

“The mountain is a long time ago honorable ancestora source of physical, cultural and spiritual support and a place of final rest, ”he said Paul Goldsmiththe legislator responsible for the agreements.

In 1770, British explorer Captain James Cook spotted Taranaki peak from his ship and called him Monte Egmont. Over the centuries, the New Zealand Crown will have consecutively colonized and violated the rights of the Māori people.

In 1865, for example, a wide range of Taranaki land that belonged to this people, including the mountain, was confiscated to punish the Māori for rebelled against the crown.

Still currently explains the legislator, “ traditional Māori -associated mountain practices were prohibitedwhile tourism was promoted. ”

“Today, Taranaki, our Maunga Tupuna (“ Ancestral Mountain ”), is scatter of injustice, ignorance, hatred, ”said dEbbie People-Packerco-leader of the political party te pāti māori and descendant of the Taranaki tribes.