New Zealand's parliament has passed a historic law granting Mt Taranaki the same legal rights as a person, acknowledging its cultural and spiritual significance to the indigenous Māori people. The "Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill," approved on Thursday, ensures that the mountain will effectively own itself, with representatives from local Māori tribes ("iwi") and the government co-managing its future.

The settlement seeks to address injustices faced by Māori communities in the Taranaki region, including the widespread confiscation of land during colonisation. Government Minister Paul Goldsmith emphasized the importance of acknowledging past wrongs to build a more inclusive future.

"We must acknowledge the hurt that has been caused by past wrongs, so we can look to the future to support iwi to realise their own aspirations and opportunities," Goldsmith said.

The legislation officially renames the mountain "Taranaki Maunga," removing its colonial-era name, "Egmont," given by British explorer James Cook in the 18th century. The surrounding national park will also be restored to its original Māori name.

Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer hailed the move as a victory for indigenous rights and cultural heritage.

"Today, Taranaki, our 'maunga' [mountain], our 'maunga tupuna' [ancestral mountain], is released from the shackles of injustice, of ignorance, of hate," she said.

Hundreds of Māori from the region gathered at parliament to witness the bill’s passing, celebrating it as a momentous step in recognizing the Māori worldview, which sees natural features as living ancestors.

The settlement follows similar legal recognitions in New Zealand, including the "Urewera" native forest in 2014 and the "Whanganui River" in 2017. The government also issued a formal apology for the 19th-century confiscation of over a million acres of land from local Māori, acknowledging the long-lasting harm inflicted upon the "whānau" (families), "hapū" (sub-tribes), and "iwi" of Taranaki.

Despite the new legal status, access to the mountain will remain unchanged, ensuring that "all New Zealanders will be able to continue to visit and enjoy this most magnificent place for generations to come," Goldsmith confirmed.

The recognition of Mt Taranaki as a legal entity is seen as a milestone in New Zealand’s ongoing efforts to uphold the rights of its indigenous people and honor the Treaty of Waitangi, which guarantees Māori certain rights over their land and resources.