Mr. Tuheitia signed the "Declaration on the Ocean" calling for whales to be recognized as people as part of efforts to protect them, AFP reported on March 28.
The declaration is said to recognize the mammals as people with the right to freely roam, express their natural behavior and unique cultures. The move is intended to help whales recover amid dwindling populations.
A humpback whale breaks off the coast of California in 2022
“The sound of our ancestors’ songs is getting weaker and whale habitats are under threat, which is why we must act now,” said Tuheitia. “We can no longer turn a blind eye. Whales play a vital role in the health of the entire ocean ecosystem. We must act urgently to protect these magnificent creatures before it is too late,” added Tuheitia.
Whales have traditionally held cultural significance to the Maori as supernatural creatures and harbingers of spiritual growth. Some tribes regard the mammals as descendants of the sea god Tangaroa.
Whales are among the largest mammals on Earth. The blue whale can grow up to 30.5 m long and weigh up to 200 tonnes. Many species are endangered.
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There is precedent for granting personhood to nature. In 2017, New Zealand passed groundbreaking legislation granting personhood to the Whanganui River and Mount Taranaki, both of which are important to Maori people.
The Maori are the second largest ethnic group in New Zealand and currently make up about 17% of the country's total population (about 900,000 people).
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