ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the journey of Te Awa Tupua, commonly known as the Whanganui River, by examining it in its historical, political, social, cultural and local contexts. Specifically, the chapter discusses the geography of the river and its meaning to people and community livelihoods, as well as the Whanganui River claims and treaty settlement process that granted legal personhood to the river via Te Awa Tupua Act. We discuss two place-based examples of implementation that look beyond legal personhood to the centrality and jurisdiction of kawa (Indigenous law) and the establishment of new institutions to uphold kawa since the passing of the Act. By providing a layered understanding, informed by our learnings and research, we contribute to the growing nuances of riverine rights as it relates to the story of Te Awa Tupua. While such nuances contribute to our theoretical understanding of riverine rights and rights of nature, we conclude that it is equally important to focus on the practical potential of Te Awa Tupua to improve the overall health and wellbeing of our rivers.
