New Zealand river revered by Maori recognised as legal person'

A New Zealand river revered by Maori has been recognised by parliament as a “legal person”, in a move believed to be a world first.

Under legislation passed on Thursday that combines Western legal precedent with Maori mysticism, the Whanganui river has been formally declared a living entity.

“(It) will have its own legal identity with all the corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a legal person,” Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said. “The approach of granting legal personality to a river is unique,” he said.