GABA President Skot Barnett (right) with partner Andy Jalfon The Gay Auckland Business Association is delighted at the number of gay couples who came to New Zealand to get married in the first month and half it was legal. There were 117 same-sex weddings in New Zealand from just 19 August until the end of September, and a third of those tying the knot were from overseas. President Skot Barnett says the Gay Auckland Business Association (GABA) supported marriage equality since the original bill was drawn, and not only because of the clear equality for our community. “In our submission we referred to the economic advantage to New Zealand as a whole for the increase in wedding ceremonies, bringing business to celebrants, designers, venues, jewellers, video producers, and a raft of other businesses in NZ involved in marriage matters,” Barnett says. “Marriage is a significant life event for many people, and a great amount of planned spending (and some unplanned) goes into this, and it’s fantastic to see the latest statistics out.” Barnett says GABA suggested it would generate international business for New Zealand also, “but to see the staggering ‘third’ of same-sex weddings coming from international origins is amazing,” he says. “One might also suggest that not only are people coming here for the event, but also staying on for the honeymoon, injecting further cash into our economy.” Barnett says moves such as marriage equality show New Zealand is an open and equal place for people to visit and spend time, which sends a supportive message to any people considering marriage, but also as a vacation destination or new home. “And it certainly makes me proud, not only to be the president of GABA in a time like this, but for us to be able to stand by our countries brand as 100% Pure NZ - in the support of our GLBTIQ community.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 6th November 2013 - 9:41am