New Zealanders are saying I do to marriage and I don't to divorce - with the honeymoon over in Otago, statistics reveal.
Last year, the country recorded its lowest divorce rate in two decades, with the number of marriages remaining steady, Statistics New Zealand say.
In 2009, 8700 divorces were granted, compared with 9713 the year before, the lowest number of divorces since 8555 divorced in 1989.
More than 21,600 marriages were registered last year, a 1% increase on the 2008 rate of 21,948, which was the highest number of marriages since 1990.
Otago marriages decreased from 1030 in 2008 to 960 in 2009, with Dunedin, Waitaki and Clutha all recording fewer marriages compared with the previous year.
Auckland City recorded the highest number of marriages (2903), followed by Manukau City (2054) and Christchurch (1965).
Divorces in Otago increased from 391 in 2008 to 410 last year, with courts in Dunedin, Balclutha and Queenstown recording more divorces in 2009.
Christchurch recorded the highest number of divorces (1045), followed by Auckland (993) and Manukau (768).
One-third of New Zealanders who married in 1984 had divorced before their 25th wedding anniversary.
For those contemplating marriage, January, February and March remained the most popular months to marry, accounting for 41% of marriages in 2009.
Valentine's Day was the most popular day to marry with 600 registrations, followed by 9.9.09 when 140 marriages were registered.
