A bill that would allow gay marriage was pulled from the ballot in Parliament today.
The private members's bill put forward by Labour Party MP Louisa Wall would amend the Marriage Act 1955 and allow same-sex marriage.
The principal Act does not define marriage as being between a man and a woman. However, same sex couples have not been permitted to obtain marriage licences under the principal Act.
The Marriage (Definition of Marriage Amendment Bill) makes it clear that two people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, have the opportunity to marry.
Labour MP Louisa Wall, who drafted the Bill, told Radio New Zealand she has always been driven by the voice of the rainbow community.
"The fact that they want equality ... for me the social institute of marriage is a basic human right that all New Zealanders should have access to."
An opinion poll this year said 63 per cent of New Zealanders agreed with same-sex marriage, she said.
"But I think the formal process of the select committee allows for that wider, more technical debate."
The Bill would define who could be married, she explained.
"It's about two people who love each other, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity."
Green Party rainbow issues spokesman Kevin Hague, who also had a bill promoting same-sex marriage in the ballot, said "the time had come" for gay marriage in New Zealand.
"One of the things we said was regardless of which bill got drawn, we'd both be putting our full weight behind them. I am very pleased to say I will be campaigning hard out to support Louisa's bill."
He said it was likely the bill would have majority support at the first reading, because Prime Minister John Key has indicated he would support the bill in its early stages.
"I think John Key's support is quite important because within the National Party caucus that is effectively the green light for people who support the bill to be able to vote for it."
The bill would be decided by a conscience vote, instead of along party lines.
Mr Hague also pointed to a recent Herald DigiPoll result which showed that more than half of New Zealanders supported gay marriage.
Prime Minister John Key said last month he would support a bill to legalise same-sex marriage at its initial stage but would not guarantee his support would continue through to the final reading that would see it become law.
He said he recognised it was an issue "for a small group of New Zealanders" but it was not a big issue for the Government.
In the past, Mr Key voted against a bill that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman. However, he also voted against civil unions. In 2003 he voted in favour of the Prostitution Reform Bill at its first reading but voted against it at the third reading.
Labour Party leader David Shearer said the party would cast conscience votes.
"We've always gone for a conscience vote on these issues - and that's what the caucus decided it wanted to do," said Mr Shearer.
"We haven't asked which way our members will go," he said.
Mr Shearer said he would support marriage equality.
"I think it's the reality of our times - it effectively puts in place what's already in existence."
"All New Zealanders will have the opportunity to have a say through the select committee process - so I think it's important that the bill comes forward."
- By Kate Shuttleworth
