On December 9, 2004, the New Zealand Parliament voted 65-55 to adopt legislation recognizing civil unions. The Civil Union Act of 2004 granted members of same-sex civil unions many of the same rights as heterosexual married couples, including allowing them to formally register their relationship under the New Zealand Births, Deaths, and Marriages Act. The civil union legislation took full effect on April 26, 2005. As of December 2011, New Zealand is one of 25 countries and 12 US states which recognize civil unions.

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Learn more about New Zealand and civil unionsfrom the JURIST news archive.

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