Last year New Zealand passed a law legalizing civil unions (for same and opposite sex couples) and it goes into effect this Tuesday (April 26). Is there a provision on whether civil unions entered into in foreign countries be recognized as well? What about foreign marriages between same-sex couples? Will they be recognized as civil unions, marriages, or not at all?
I think so. The bill tries to more equalise married, civil unions and de facto relationships. Thus an overseas civil union between two gay people would at least attain the status of a de facto relationship
some more info including the bill itself (which is like reading treacle) at www.civilunions.org.nz/