A mountain in New Zealand just got the same rights as you and me. On January 30, 2025, New Zealand’s Parliament gave Mount Taranaki – an 8,261-foot snow-capped volcano – legal rights as a person. This means the mountain can now be protected by law just like a human being. The mountain’s new legal name is Te Kāhui Tupua, replacing its colonial name Mount Egmont. Representatives from local Māori tribes and government officials will now work together to protect it. They’ll make decisions about everything from hiking trails to wildlife protection. “Today, our mountain is released from the shackles of … Continue reading Mount Taranaki Granted Legal Personhood in New Zealand