THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: New Zealand has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region - and 13th in the world - to legalise gay marriage.
Parliament voted 77 to 44 in support of the bill on its third and last reading. Uruguay legalised gay marriage last week and the move will put more pressure on Australia, which rejected the proposal last year, leading to speculation that couples will make the three hour flight to get married in New Zealand.
Spectators in the public gallery and some law makers couldn’t hide their jubilation at the decision, singing the nation’s love song, Pokarekare Ana, in the native Maori language.
In a heartfelt speech, bill sponsor Louisa Wall said: “In our society, the meaning of marriage is universal — it's a declaration of love and commitment to a special person.
“Nothing could make me more proud to be a New Zealander than passing this bill,” she went on to add. » | Romil Patel | Wednesday, April 17, 2013
