Same sex marriage

Otago is already becoming a favoured destination for same-sex weddings, and tourism professionals expect Queenstown in particular to attract engaged gay and lesbian couples from overseas.

When the moment came, Parliament erupted.

The issue of same-sex marriage has aroused strong feelings. For the gay community and supporters it is about equality and rights, and it represents both actual and symbolic acceptance before the law.

All eight political parties' youth wings have made a joint statement in support of same-sex marriage at Parliament this morning.

Gay and transgender couples could be able to marry - and adopt children - as soon as August, after a Parliamentary committee approved a change to marriage laws.

Redefining marriage is unnecessary, writes former MP Gordon Copeland.

Pensioners are holding out in a dwindling minority opposing gay marriage - as 2013 looks possibly to be the year for it to become reality.

The sponsor of a bill to legalise same-sex weddings says marriage is an evolving institution, and many opponents of a law change were in denial about the fact that homosexuals had held equal rights in New Zealand for 27 years.

Prime Minister John Key said there was more support for the first gay marriage vote than he had expected.