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New Zealand gay couples to hold first weddings
A gay couple kiss as they celebrate New Zealand legalising same-sex marriage New Zealand is the 14th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage
Thirty-one same-sex couples plan to marry on Monday, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.
It comes after New Zealand's parliament passed a bill in April amending the country's 1955 marriage act.
The move had faced opposition from Christian lobby groups.
'Historically significant'
Two radio stations have held competitions for the first same-sex weddings, according to local media. The ceremonies are due to be broadcast live during their breakfast programmes.
Another couple will marry on an early flight between Queenstown and Auckland in a ceremony sponsored by Air New Zealand. US actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson from the sitcom Modern Family will reportedly be a guest.
Same-sex couples from other countries are also expected to wed.
About 1,000 same-sex couples in Australia have indicated that they plan to travel to the neighbouring country to marry, according to the Australian Marriage Equality lobby group.
The moment same-sex marriage became legal in New Zealand
The first Australian couple to do so are expected to be Paul McCarthy and Trent Kandler, who beat 300 other pairs to win a Tourism New Zealand competition.
Their wedding will not be legally recognised in their home country, but Mr McCarthy told AFP news agency the move was "both historically significant, and an important step in our personal lives".
The law change has angered some religious leaders, with the Anglican Church asking its ministers not to conduct the weddings pending a report to its general synod next year.
Catholic bishops have opposed the weddings outright while other denominations have been split.
New Zealand's MPs approved the bill by a large majority in April this year, with 77 votes in favour and 44 against.
The public gallery erupted into song after the announcement that the change had been passed.
A gay couple kiss as they celebrate New Zealand legalising same-sex marriage New Zealand is the 14th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage
Thirty-one same-sex couples plan to marry on Monday, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.
It comes after New Zealand's parliament passed a bill in April amending the country's 1955 marriage act.
The move had faced opposition from Christian lobby groups.
'Historically significant'
Two radio stations have held competitions for the first same-sex weddings, according to local media. The ceremonies are due to be broadcast live during their breakfast programmes.
Another couple will marry on an early flight between Queenstown and Auckland in a ceremony sponsored by Air New Zealand. US actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson from the sitcom Modern Family will reportedly be a guest.
Same-sex couples from other countries are also expected to wed.
About 1,000 same-sex couples in Australia have indicated that they plan to travel to the neighbouring country to marry, according to the Australian Marriage Equality lobby group.
The moment same-sex marriage became legal in New Zealand
The first Australian couple to do so are expected to be Paul McCarthy and Trent Kandler, who beat 300 other pairs to win a Tourism New Zealand competition.
Their wedding will not be legally recognised in their home country, but Mr McCarthy told AFP news agency the move was "both historically significant, and an important step in our personal lives".
The law change has angered some religious leaders, with the Anglican Church asking its ministers not to conduct the weddings pending a report to its general synod next year.
Catholic bishops have opposed the weddings outright while other denominations have been split.
New Zealand's MPs approved the bill by a large majority in April this year, with 77 votes in favour and 44 against.
The public gallery erupted into song after the announcement that the change had been passed.
