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Story: Lesbian lives

Civil union

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Civil union

The Civil Union Act 2004 made it possible for lesbian couples to enter into legal partnerships. Kelly Cunningham (back) and Lif Cooper of Hamilton celebrated their civil union in April 2005, not long after the law came into force. Same-sex marriage was legalised in August 2013.

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New Zealand Herald

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by Amos Chapple

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How to cite this page

Alison J. Laurie, Lesbian lives – Contemporary lesbian life, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/30290/civil-union (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Alison J. Laurie, published 5 April 2011.