Civil unions and same-sex marriages (SSM)

New Zealand

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About New Zealand:

This is a former colony of Britain, and is now an independent country. New Zealand is called Aotearoa by the Māori -- the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. The country consists of two main islands, and many small islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, immediately to the East of Australia. As of late 2012, same-sex couples are not allowed to marry. However, the governments of both Australia and New Zealand are considering altering their marriage laws to include same-sex couples much like another former colony, Canada.

As of late 2012-AUG, when a bill to leaglize SSM in New Zealand was introduced into their Parliament, same-sex marriage (SSM) had already been legalized in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden. So has Mexico City, and the District of Columbia & six states in the United States. Other countries like England, France, and Scotland are seriously considering it.

Two of the large English speaking countries of the world, have legalized same-sex marriage. These are Canada, as well as the District of Columbia and a growing number of states in the U.S. Other such countries are considering the move: Australia, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Among religious and social conservatives, there might develop a desire to hold out the longest by being the last such country on Earth to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples.

The New Zealand Parliament passed a bill to legalize SSM in 2013-APR. It is expected to be signed into law.

Topics covered in this section:

• Year 2000: First developments
  
  
• 2004/5: Civil unions created
  
  
• 2012 activity:
  
  
  • Introduction of same-sex marriage bill. Some reactions; MP's votes
    
    
  • Public opinion polls. Text of the same-sex marriage bill. Demonstrations. TV debate
    
    
• 2013 activity:
  
  
  • Parliament passes SSM bill by a large margin

Originally written: 2000-NOV-14
Latest update: 2013-APR-18
Author: B.A. Robinson

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