Mount Taranaki

February 4, 2025

New Zealand granted Mount Taranaki legal personhood, recognizing it as having the same rights and responsibilities as a human.

This move follows previous cases in New Zealand, including the Whanganui River (2017)and Te Urewera forest (2014), which were also granted legal personhood.
Mount Taranaki, also known as Taranaki Maunga, is a dormant stratovolcano in New Zealand’s North Island.
It stands at 2,518 meters (8,261 feet), making it the second-highest peak in the North Island after Mount Ruapehu.
It is located within Egmont National Parkand is known for its symmetrical cone shape.
It has a secondary peak, Fanthams Peak (1,966 meters or 6,450 feet), located on its southern side.