Civil union has been legal in New Zealand since 26 April 2005.
The Civil Union Act to establish the institution of civil union for same-sex and opposite-sex couples was passed by the New Zealand Parliament on 9 December 2004. The Act has been described as very similar to the Marriage Act with references to “marriage” replaced by “civil union”.
A companion bill, the Relationships (Statutory References) Act, was passed shortly thereafter on 15 March 2005, to remove discriminatory provisions on the basis of relationship status from a range of statutes and regulations. As a result of these bills, all couples in New Zealand, whether married, in a civil union, or in a de facto partnership, now generally enjoy the same rights and undertake the same obligations. These rights extend to immigration, next-of-kin status, social welfare, matrimonial property and other areas. Non-married couples are not however permitted to adopt children, although people in non-marital relationships can adopt as individuals.
Civil unions registered in New Zealand may be legally recognised in other countries, depending on the laws of that country.
A civil union ceremony may be held before either a Registrar of Civil Unions in a Registry Office or by an appointed Civil Union Celebrant.
Apply for a Civil Union Licence
Further information from Department of Internal Affairs
