Aussies Jess Lawrence and Kate McClenahan married in Queenstown during Gay Ski Week Australian marriage equality campaigners believe most of the foreign same-sex couples who married in New Zealand in August and September came from across the Tasman. Statistics NZ figures show 117 same-sex couples married between 19 August and 30 September, 40 of which were from overseas. "Given the large number of Australian couples who have told us they intend to marry in New Zealand I can only assume most of the overseas partners who married there in August and September were from Australia,” says Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome. "If this is the case, it means about a third of the overall number of same-sex marriages in New Zealand were between Australians.” Croome says it’s a reminder of how strong many Australian same-sex couples’ desire to marry is, and how Australian law is driving them overseas, away from family, friends and loved ones, to do it. "It is also a reminder that when they return home their solemn legal vows of lifelong commitment count for nothing under Australian law." Croome said several factors may have halted even more Australians marrying in New Zealand. "It takes time to organise a wedding overseas, and some couples will be waiting to see if they can marry in the ACT."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 8th November 2013 - 9:16am