WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The King of New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori community, Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau te Wherowhero VII, issued a passionate plea on Thursday for whales to be granted legal rights equivalent to those of human beings. He emphasized the importance of extending inherent human rights, such as access to a healthy environment, to protect these revered yet vulnerable creatures.
This call for legal recognition of whales comes in the wake of previous legislation in New Zealand that bestowed legal status upon natural entities like rivers and mountains, which are significant to the Maori people. Notably, the Mount Taranaki volcano and Whanganui River were both granted personhood in 2017, allowing for increased protection and consultation with local groups regarding development projects.
In a joint statement with the high chief of the Cook Islands, Travel Tou Ariki, King Tuheitia stressed the need for a holistic approach to whale conservation that combines Indigenous knowledge with scientific expertise. The leaders emphasized the establishment of protected marine areas as a crucial step towards safeguarding these majestic marine mammals.
Highlighting the vital role that whales play in ocean ecosystems, Chief Travel Tou Ariki urged Polynesian nations to unite in protecting these creatures before it’s too late. Despite their immense size, many whale species face endangerment due to various human-induced threats.
Whales are not only important ecologically but also hold cultural significance for Indigenous communities like the Maori. As descendants of Polynesian ancestors, the Maori advocate for the preservation of these creatures as part of their heritage and identity.
As New Zealand grapples with its colonial past and seeks to uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples, the call for granting legal rights to whales underscores the intersection of environmental conservation and cultural preservation in the country.
