The Civil Union Act 2004 is a New Zealand act of parliament legislating civil unions. It was passed into law on Thursday 9 December 2004 by a final vote of 65–55 in the New Zealand Parliament.[1] The act makes it legal for those in same-sex as well as heterosexual relationships to enter into a civil union.

Civil Union Act 2004
New Zealand Parliament
Passed byHouse of Representatives
Passed9 December 2004
Royal assent13 December 2004
Commenced26 April 2005
Administered byMinistry of Justice
Legislative history
Bill titleCivil Union Bill
Introduced byDavid Benson-Pope
Introduced21 June 2004
First reading24 June 2004
Second reading2 December 2004
Third reading9 December 2004
Amended by
Civil Union Amendment Act 2007
Related legislation
Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005
Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2005
Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013
Status: Current legislation

The act is still in force, despite New Zealand providing same-sex marriages since 19 August 2013, under the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013.

Vote

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Civil Union Bill – Second Reading[2]
Party Votes for Votes against
Labour (51)
National (27)
NZ First (13)
ACT (9)
Green (9)
United Future (8) -
Progressive (2) -
Māori Party (1) -
Total 65 55

Attitudes of political parties

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The act was opposed by religious groups, including the Catholic Church. Then New Zealand National Party leader Don Brash opposed the bill, but only as he believed it should be put to a referendum. The Act was widely supported by the then-governing New Zealand Labour Party.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Civil Union Bill Passed, The New Zealand Herald, 9 December 2004
  2. ^ MPs vote 65-55 in favour of Civil Union Bill, The New Zealand Herald, 2 December 2004
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