Kevin Hague says it's an 'overwhelming majority' A poll has found 63 per cent of New Zealanders believe in marriage equality, something Green MP Kevin Hague says is an 'overwhelming majority' which the Government cannot ignore. In the One News Colmar Brunton poll, 31 per cent of respondents answered ‘no’ to the question ‘do you think same-sex couples should be able to get married?’ Six per cent said they did not know or preferred not to say. Joseph Habgood from Legalise Love says it’s just further evidence that marriage equality is widely supported in New Zealand, and that there's no good excuse for Kiwi politicians not to reflect that sentiment in law. Greens' Rainbow Issues spokesman Kevin Hague agrees, saying the Government should legislate to allow same-sex couples to get married. He says the poll shows “New Zealanders now overwhelming support marriage equality”. “John Key recently said that while he is personally not opposed, there isn’t any clamour for gay marriage in New Zealand. This poll shows he is wrong in that assertion,” Hague says. Both Hague and Labour MP Louisa Wall have been working on Members Bills on the issue, and Hague says his would end marriage discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. “This is an issue which New Zealanders clearly feel strongly about. John Key can make marriage equality a priority and introduce this legislation.” Hague adds that all Green MPs will vote in favour of marriage equality. Following the poll’s release, Journalist and TV presenter Ali Mau, who is engaged to her partner Karleen Edmonds, will appear on Close Up tonight and take a stand for marriage equality. The full poll findings: Question: “In New Zealand same-sex couples can enter into a Civil Union, but they are not able to get married. Do you think same-sex couples should be able to get married?” Yes 63% No 31% Don’t know 5% Prefer not to say 1% Base: n=1,005 Eligible New Zealand Voters, 26th – 30th May 2012 Nearly two thirds of Eligible New Zealand voters (63%) believe that same-sex couples should be able to get married. Just under one third (31%) believe they should not be able to get married. Those more likely than average (63%) to say same-sex couples should be able to marry are: women (69%) aged 18 to 34 years (76%) those who do not identify with any religion or spiritual group (75%) Green Party supporters (80%). Those more likely than average (31%) to say same-sex couples should not be able to marry are: men (37%) aged 55 years or over (48%) those living in low income households, with an annual household income under $30,000 (40%) those who identify with a religion or spiritual group (47%).
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 6th June 2012 - 6:37pm