River Given Human Status

A New Zealand river revered by the Maori people is granted the status of a living being by the country's parliament.

1 minute read

March 17, 2017, 12:00 PM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


New Zealand

The Whanganui River, in Whanganui National Park. | Gabor Kovacs Photography / Shutterstock

"The New Zealand parliament passed the bill recognising the Whanganui River, in North Island, as a living entity," the BBC reports. This change in legal status is seen as a win for environmentalists and the Maori people indigenous to the region. "The recognition allows it to be represented in court proceedings," the BBC writes.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017 in BBC

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