The Whanganui River in New Zealand is a major waterway that holds special significance for the region's Māori people. It's the country's third-longest river, stretching 290 kilometers from Mount Tongariro to the Tasman Sea. Known for its rugged beauty and historical importance, the river has been a vital communication route and trade post. In 2017, it made headlines by becoming the world's second natural resource (after Te Urewera) to be granted legal personhood, marking the end of a long-standing legal battle between Māori and the government.