Indigenous leaders of New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed the He Whakaputanga Moana treaty, granting legal personhood to whales. Unlike previous processes, this treaty is based on customary law, aiming to protect whales’ rights and integrate traditional MÄori knowledge for conservation. Signed by prominent figures like King Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and Lisa Tumahai, it recognizes whales as ancestral beings and reflects shared MÄori concepts of mana. Legal personhood, previously granted to natural entities like rivers and mountains, signifies a significant shift in incorporating Indigenous values into legal frameworks. With the potential for whales to sue for environmental protection, this treaty could have far-reaching implications for ocean conservation.
Treaty Recognizes Whales as Legal Persons in New Zealand and Cook Islands
![](https://affairsace-media.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/2024/04/17092850/Whale_Entanglement_70525-860x484.jpg)