# Civil Unions Now Legal In NZ - Gays And Lesbians, Come On Down!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 1, 2005, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947 "2005-05-01T11:02:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947/1 "2005-05-01T11:02:00Z")

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Yay, us! The world, or at least this small part of it, takes one more step towards civilisation as Civil Unions, which became law here in December last year, came into effect this week. Gays and lesbians can now have their relationships publically and legally recognised and celebrated. We _so_ rule! Anyone want to emigrate?

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**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947/2 "2005-05-01T11:16:05Z")

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[NZ Herald article.](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?ObjectID=10123110)

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**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947/3 "2005-05-01T11:58:18Z")

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Well it is not like we were the first, But YAYYYY!

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**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947/4 "2005-05-01T12:04:04Z")

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Furthermore, unlike here in the US, a defacto relationship, gay or straight, is recognised with a New Zealander, is seen as being sufficient grounds for gaining citizenship.

Here, for some reason, you have to be married and then they still make it bloody difficult

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**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947/5 "2005-05-01T12:29:25Z")

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> [@UnwrittenNocturne](#):
>
> Furthermore, unlike here in the US, a defacto relationship, gay or straight, is recognised with a New Zealander, is seen as being sufficient grounds for gaining citizenship.
> 
> Here, for some reason, you have to be married and then they still make it bloody difficult

Yeah, we got a residence permit for Missus Case despite ours only being a _de facto_ relationship with relative ease, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the same was true of gay relationships too: all you need to do is provide some kind of proof that you’ve actually been living together - letters to both parties at the same address, photos together, supporting letters from friends, family, or anyone respectable, that kind of thing.

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**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947/6 "2005-05-01T22:39:51Z")

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What wonderful news! Now I wonder what’re the chances of Little Johnnie following suit… :rolleyes:  
Max.

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**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-unions-now-legal-in-nz-gays-and-lesbians-come-on-down/301947/7 "2005-05-01T22:47:43Z")

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> [@Maxxxie](#):
>
> What wonderful news! Now I wonder what’re the chances of Little Johnnie following suit… :rolleyes:  
> Max.

Not good, huh?