Whangarei couple Roimata Maxwell and Jay Higgins made history today.
The women were the first gay couple in Northland to undertake a civil union.
The couple had planned a ceremony in Whangarei's Laurie Hall Park and were happy to have the ceremony in a public place to show people "it's okay to
be out there".
"We've got nothing to hide," they said.
Civil union services became law on April 26 allowing defacto and same-sex couples similar legal rights to marriage.
While Ms Maxwell and Ms Higgins realised their civil union service is a significant piece of New Zealand history, the couple was more focussed on their "wedding".
Both women asked each other to "marry" about a year ago and were over the moon they will spend the rest of their lives together as a couple recognised by law. Stephanie McMillan was their celebrant.
Ms Higgins, 46, admitted she was nervous as it was her "first time to marry". Ms Maxwell, who has been married twice to men, giggled she was happy Ms Higgins had finally settled down.
"I just knew this was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with," Ms Higgins said.
Just like a traditional wedding, the couple had flowergirls, a bridesmaid, wedding cake and formal reception. Ms Maxwell, 42, will even change her name to Higgins to represent their new life together.
But both dressed in suits and the figurines on top of their madeira cake were two females.
Ms Maxwell has two adult sons, one of whom was to give his mother away today, and Ms Higgins has an adopted adult daughter.
After today's ceremony the couple will spend their honeymoon in Rotorua and Wellington next week before moving to Australia next year.
The Civil Union Act sparked controversy about same-sex relationships when it was mooted last year.
Northland marriage celebrant Frank Geddes found same-sex civil unions so "abhorrent" he quit his job.
