Labour says legalising adoption for gay couples is the likely outcome of a law review under its newly-released "rainbow" policy.



Released today, the policy outlines measures to protect the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intergender people (GLBTI).



A Labour government would review care of children laws to ensure the widest pool of suitable adults was lawfully available to care for children in need.



It would also review laws and practices that breached the right to freedom from discrimination, provided under the Bill of Rights Acts.



Relationship and relationship property law would also be reviewed and updated.



Labour's Charles Chauvel said the law review was not just about gay rights.



A High Court case earlier this year found heterosexual couples in a civil union couldn't legally adopt.



There were also issues around the Maori practise of whangai, where children are raised by other members of their whanau, and grandparents seeking formal custody of their grandchildren, he said.



New Zealand law had fallen behind other jurisdictions.



"Most of the Australian states have updated their adoption laws to ensure they do widen the pool of parents."



Labour also wanted to ensure there were no big differences between the Civil Union status and the marriage status.



"So where couples are living lawfully together, they can access that status as well."



Labour would also require schools to have policies to prevent GLBTI bullying and ensure public services took account of the needs of GLBTI New Zealanders.