First the civil union, then the groceries

Kelly Cunningham (back) and Lif Cooper. Picture / Amos Chapple

In Christchurch, the "bride" wore a fur-lined hat and a red mountain-design jacket. The "groom" wore a beige norsewear jersey.

And after they were legally joined in one of New Zealand's first civil unions yesterday, Tracy and Mike Peters went and got the groceries.

In Hamilton, lesbian couple Lif Cooper and Kelly Cunningham, wearing paua jewellery, exchanged their vows in their lounge.

"I promise to love you as your partner in good times and in bad with all that I have to give and all that I feel inside in the only way I know how, completely and forever," they said to each other.

Gay and straight, couples around the country celebrated their love for each other in individually styled ceremonies on the first day possible under the historic law change.

The Civil Unions Act came into force on Tuesday, allowing couples to lodge applications for licences with Internal Affairs.

The Peters were not interested in the pomp and fervour of a traditional wedding but they were keen to be legally recognised as each other's "nearest and dearest".

They held a "not-a-wedding party" seven years ago - without a celebrant or any legal status - to declare their love and commitment in front of family and friends. Privately yesterday, at the Christchurch Births, Deaths and Marriages office, they completed the "legal, rubber stamp bit".

After doing the deed, the happy couple declared it "painless" and a relief - despite having to rope in two strangers as witnesses.

"After that it only took a couple of minutes in there with a form to sign. But now we are secure legally," said Tracy.

"If anything happens to Mike, I'll be the first person the authorities will call, and vice versa."

Mike believes many other couples will be interested in civil unions for the same reason.

"We wanted to be legally recognised but we didn't want all the hassle that comes with planning a wedding.

"We felt we'd already tied the knot. Now we've just tightened it."

Ms Cooper and Ms Cunningham, who are in their 20s and met on the internet four years ago, had already held a commitment ceremony on April 16, a year to the day they first locked eyes, but yesterday legalised their union in the lounge of their Hamilton home.

"I think our spiritual commitment has been made. This is the legal process really," Ms Cunningham, a teacher, said.

There was however debate over whose name to take.

"The kids at school started joking after the [April 16] ceremony and calling me Mrs Cooper."

She said she did not want to give up her name because her siblings are all girls and the family name would be lost.

Ms Cooper added she liked her name and "we're still in negotiation on that one".

The couple say they are family oriented and their union is part of recognising that.

Both hoped civil unions would make same-sex relationships more accepted by society at large.

Internal Affairs said the country's first public civil union was held in Christchurch at the Births, Death and Marriages office an hour and a half before the Peters' union.

Around 20 couples had applied for licences since Tuesday.