All bow before Gaia, the merciful:
I praise Mother Gaia, who brought to life
all who live upon the earth, creator of gods,
of mortal men and beasts. Gaia, all your children
are dear to you, all will you defend from abuse
and oppression. Gaia, you are mighty,
you are kind, you provide for us what we most need–
the food that sustains us, the air that we breathe–
and yet you are firm, you show us the simple truth
of our existence, the slightness of our lives:
the grass grown tall between the cracks in the road,
the moss that clings to brick and stone, the vine that climbs
the walls of men until they crumble, all these are yours.
Gaia, most ancient and most revered goddess,
you are our source of life and reason for right living.
In all ways I honor you, for all gifts I thank you.
New Zealand river granted same legal rights as human being
In a world-first a New Zealand river has been granted the same legal rights as a human being. The local Māori tribe of Whanganui in the north island has fought for the recognition of their river – the third-largest in New Zealand – as an ancestor for 140 years.