Recent figures from New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs have revealed a large number of same sex marriages have taken place in the country since same sex couples were given the right to marry in August 2013.
The country’s Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act enabled couples to marry regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. The new definition of marriage in the Marriage Act defines marriage as "the union of two people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity".
Between August and December 2013 the country has apparently seen 361 same sex marriages. Interestingly, around a third of these couples are Australian.
“We are seeing continued national and international interest by same sex couples in getting married in New Zealand," commented Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Jeff Montgomery. He explained that of the 361 couples, only 202 were from New Zealand.
A further breakdown of the figures show that there were 195 female same sex marriages (of these 55 were a change of relationship from civil union):
- 47 couples from Australia
- 4 couples from China
- 4 couples from Hong Kong
- 4 couples from United Kingdom
There were also 166 male same sex marriages (of these 47 were a change of relationship from civil union):
- 50 couples from Australia
- 6 couples from China
- 4 couples from Thailand
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