New Zealand’s Whanganui River Has Been Granted the Same Legal Rights as a Person

In what’s believed to be a world first, New Zealand’s government has granted a river the same rights as a living person. The Whanganui River, considered part of the living landscape by the indigenous Whanganui Iwi people associated with it, has been granted legal personhood under a parliamentary bill, reports local news service Newshub. Two representatives from the local indigenous community — one appointed by the government, another elected by the community — will be entrusted with acting in the river’s interests. The Whanganui Iwi have fought for this day for over 160 years, an indigenous MP told Radio New Zealand. “From a Whanganui viewpoint the wellbeing of the river is directly linked to the well-being of the people,” said Adtian Rurawhe, “and so it is really important that’s recognized as its own identity” Video Player is loading. Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Stream Type LIVE Remaining Time -0:00 1x Chapters descriptions off, selected captions and subtitles off, selected This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. TextColorWhiteTransparencyOpaqueBackgroundColorBlackTransparencyOpaqueWindowColorBlackTransparencyTransparent Font Size50%Text Edge StyleNoneFont FamilyProportional Sans-Serif End of dialog window. “I know some people will say it’s pretty […]

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