ISSUE
Friday, August 22, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 73
The new Prime Minister of New Zealand Bill English has taken a welcome U-turn on same-sex marriage issue.
The Human Rights Commission has welcomed Prime Minister Bill English’s statement that he would vote differently on gay marriage if it came up to the vote now.
“We welcome Prime Minister English’s support for marriage equality and the rights of thousands of New Zealanders to marry,” said Human Rights Commissioner Richard Tankersley.
“Having the courage to challenge your own views and to do so publicly is a rare but valuable quality in any leader.”
The Marriage Amendment Act 2013 allowed same-sex and transgender New Zealanders to marry. At the time Mr English and 43 other MPs voted against, while 77 MPs voted for the act.
Today Mr English announced he would now vote in favour of the law change.
"I'd probably vote differently now on the gay marriage issue. I don't think that gay marriage is a threat to anyone else's marriage," Mr English said in a press conference immediately after the National Party elections.
Receiving this declaration, Human Rights Commission extended their tributes to the initial 77 MPs who chose to support the cause three years ago in the parliament.
“We would also like to pay tribute to those 77 MPs who stood alongside LGBTI New Zealanders three years ago and argued for our right to be treated equally in our own homeland. Nga mihi nui kia koutou (Congratulations to you).”
The new Prime Minister of New Zealand Bill English has taken a welcome U-turn on same-sex marriage issue.
The Human Rights Commission has welcomed Prime Minister Bill English’s statement that he would vote differently on gay marriage if it came up to the vote now.
“We welcome Prime Minister...
The new Prime Minister of New Zealand Bill English has taken a welcome U-turn on same-sex marriage issue.
The Human Rights Commission has welcomed Prime Minister Bill English’s statement that he would vote differently on gay marriage if it came up to the vote now.
“We welcome Prime Minister English’s support for marriage equality and the rights of thousands of New Zealanders to marry,” said Human Rights Commissioner Richard Tankersley.
“Having the courage to challenge your own views and to do so publicly is a rare but valuable quality in any leader.”
The Marriage Amendment Act 2013 allowed same-sex and transgender New Zealanders to marry. At the time Mr English and 43 other MPs voted against, while 77 MPs voted for the act.
Today Mr English announced he would now vote in favour of the law change.
"I'd probably vote differently now on the gay marriage issue. I don't think that gay marriage is a threat to anyone else's marriage," Mr English said in a press conference immediately after the National Party elections.
Receiving this declaration, Human Rights Commission extended their tributes to the initial 77 MPs who chose to support the cause three years ago in the parliament.
“We would also like to pay tribute to those 77 MPs who stood alongside LGBTI New Zealanders three years ago and argued for our right to be treated equally in our own homeland. Nga mihi nui kia koutou (Congratulations to you).”
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