You won't be hearing the words "marriage equality" for much longer. Marriage has became equal in New Zealand, after Labour MP Louisa Wall's marriage bill passed its third and final reading by 77 votes to 44.

The law change makes New Zealand the 13th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage - the first in the Asia-Pacific region.

ACT leader John Banks, who has previously opposed homosexual law reform, voted for the bill - presumably touting the libertarian stance intended by ACT's inception. Green Party MP Kevin Hague, himself of a gay relationship of 29 years, spoke of his personal struggle against stigmatisation. National Party MP Tau Henare encouragingly pointed out to his colleagues that today was the right time and that the sky would not fall in if the bill was passed.

"I am proud to be a member of this 50th parliament that will continue New Zealand's proud human rights tradition. I thank my colleagues for simply doing what is fair, just and right. Kia ora," Ms Wall said in her address following the bill's passing.

source: data archive