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| New Zealand legalises same-sex marriage | New Zealand legalises same-sex marriage |
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| New Zealand's parliament has voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage, prompting cheers, applause and the singing of a traditional Maori celebratory song from the public gallery. | New Zealand's parliament has voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage, prompting cheers, applause and the singing of a traditional Maori celebratory song from the public gallery. |
| Seventy-seven of 121 members voted in favour of amending the 1955 Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to wed, making New Zealand the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so. | Seventy-seven of 121 members voted in favour of amending the 1955 Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to wed, making New Zealand the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so. |
| "Two-thirds of parliament have endorsed marriage equality," said Louisa Wall, a gay opposition Labour party MP who campaigned in favour of the bill. "It shows that we are building on our human rights as a country." | |
| The bill was widely expected to pass, given similar support for the change in a preliminary vote held last month. It is likely to come into effect in August. | |
| New Zealand becomes the 13th country to legalise same-sex marriages, after Uruguay passed the law last week. Australia rejected a similar proposal last year. | New Zealand becomes the 13th country to legalise same-sex marriages, after Uruguay passed the law last week. Australia rejected a similar proposal last year. |
| Countries where such marriages are legal include Canada, Spain, Sweden and some US states. France is close to legalising same-sex marriage despite increasingly vocal opposition. | Countries where such marriages are legal include Canada, Spain, Sweden and some US states. France is close to legalising same-sex marriage despite increasingly vocal opposition. |
| The bill was opposed by the Roman Catholic church and some conservative religious, political and social groups, which said it would undermine the institution of the family. | |
| The law makes it clear that clergy can decline to preside over gay marriages if they conflict with their beliefs. | The law makes it clear that clergy can decline to preside over gay marriages if they conflict with their beliefs. |
| The legislation comes after New Zealand gave same-sex relationships partial recognition in 2005 with the establishment of civil unions. | The legislation comes after New Zealand gave same-sex relationships partial recognition in 2005 with the establishment of civil unions. |
| "I have a boyfriend, so it means we can get married, which is a good thing," said Timothy Atkin, a student who was among a crowd listening to the hearing in the parliamentary lobby. "It's important to be seen as equal under the law." | |
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