New Zealand river granted same legal rights as human being: after 140 years of negotiation

[Equinox Moon]

New Zealand river granted same legal rights as human being: after 140 years of negotiation
Source: The Guardian

In a world-first a New Zealand river has been granted the same legal rights as a human being.

The local Māori tribe of Whanganui in the north island has fought for the recognition of their river – the third-largest in New Zealand – as an ancestor for 140 years.

On Wednesday, hundreds of tribal representatives wept with joy when their bid to have their kin awarded legal status as a living entity was passed into law.

“We have fought to find an approximation in law so that all others can understand that from our perspective treating the river as a living entity is the correct way to approach it, as in indivisible whole, instead of the traditional model for the last 100 years of treating it from a perspective of ownership and management.”

The new status of the river means if someone abused or harmed it the law now sees no differentiation between harming the tribe or harming the river because they are one and the same.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/16/new-zealand-river-granted-same-legal-rights-as-human-being

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Way to go Māori & New Zealand!!!
The River and the Tribe are one and the same!

[Equinox Moon]

1. Wow.

Financial redress of $80m is included in the settlement, as well as an additional $1m contribution towards establishing the legal framework for the river.

[Renew Deal]

2. Good. It should be fined for running a school without a permit

[Equinox Moon]

3. Is this a sarcastic post?

[Equinox Moon]

4. ...