Members of the Tauranga church communities have spoken out against the law change to legalise same-sex marriage.
Grace Independent Baptist Church Pastor Dan Fraser said he was "absolutely disappointed" the Marriage Amendment Bill was passed and said the issues should never have been discussed.
"I was expecting it to happen, based on the previous votes, but I would have liked it if the Government had stayed away from the issue and left it completely alone.
"I don't think they have any right to interfere with marriage in the first place."
Pastor Tamati Cameron of C3 Church in Mount Maunganui sadly anticipated the Bill's passing in Parliament on Wednesday night. "I'm disappointed. I thought it would probably happen. I think the Government hasn't listened to the country and they should have considered a referendum ..."
Their views were echoed by National Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall and National Tauranga MP Simon Bridges. They both voted against the Bill. Genevieve Helliwell
