NEWS New Zealand to legalise gay marriages, report July 16, 2003 WELLINGTON - The New Zealand government plans to legalize civil weddings for gays and give same-sex partners all the legal rights of married couples, a newspaper reported Wednesday. The change was in keeping with an election pledge to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by the Labour Party, which heads a centre-left coalition, the New Zealand Herald said. If it does so, New Zealand would become the third country to recognize same-sex marriages. So far, only the Netherlands and Belgium have done so, but Canada has announced its intentions to pass similar legislation. The new law in New Zealand would legalize civil unions, which would probably be certified by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, the paper said. If couples separated, they would be able to dissolve the union after two years, just as with divorces between men and women. The move is expected to provoke opponents such as religious groups, which argue that civil unions weaken the sanctity of marriage, and members of parliament will be allowed a conscience vote on the measure, meaning they will not have to vote along party lines, the Herald said. It said the government was worried that more than 100 laws that recognize only married couples of the opposite sex could be subject to legal challenges as infringing the human rights of others. The government has already passed legislation to recognize property rights in de-facto and same-sex relationships, and such unions will be recognized under new guardianship laws for children now being debated in parliament. - Sapa-DPA Related stories Gay couples flocking to Canada may find it hard to divorce: lawyer Croatia gay couples get equal rights as unmarried heterosexuals Argentina set for first gay marriage in Latin America US Constitutional ban on gay marriage not necessary - yet: Bush UK unveils "gay marriages" plan US Senator backs law to block gay marriage