Whanganui River

The Whanganui River is a really special waterway in New Zealand. It's important to the people who have lived there for thousands of years. The river stretches for almost 300 kilometers (about 186 miles), and is one of the longest in the country. The river is also special because it is the only river in the world to have a legal identity. This means that the Whanganui River is legally treated like a person and the people who have lived there for centuries have a special relationship with the river. People have been fishing in the river and their ancestors have used the river for travelling and trading. The people are very proud of the Whanganui River and they hold ceremonies to honor it and show respect for it.