Fond memories for first Civil Union couples

Mike and Tracy Peters said they were not religious and had no desire for a traditional wedding. Picture / Simon Baker

The Civil Unions Act came into effect one year ago today, allowing same-sex and de facto couples to register their relationships and receive similar legal rights to married couples.

The first couples to apply for civil union licences did so on April 26 and held ceremonies on April 29.

Yesterday, the Herald caught up with two couples - one straight, the other gay - who entered into civil unions on the first day possible under the law.

Mike and Tracy Peters of Christchurch, and Lif Cooper and Kelly Cunningham of Hamilton, wanted to mark the first anniversaries of their ceremonies, even if in a low-key way.

"It's a date I have very fond memories of," Tracy Peters said.

She said she and Mr Peters would probably host a small get-together but would hold off doing anything big until October 25, which they consider their main anniversary.

On that date, nine years ago this year, they held a "not-a-wedding party" to celebrate their love and commitment to each other in front of family and friends.

The pair, who describe themselves as "happily middle-aged", were not religious and had no desire for a traditional wedding.

But both were happy when the Civil Union Act gave them the chance to have their relationship legally recognised by the state.

A year on, Mr Peters said they were glad they got the rubber stamp at the Christchurch Births, Deaths and Marriages office.

"It's a very good law," he said.

Said Tracy Peters: "It suits with who we are as people."

Ms Cooper and Ms Cunningham also have no regrets about registering their relationship.

"We're definitely very glad we did it," Ms Cooper said.

She said it had given her and her partner more security, although it had not affected their day-to-day relationship.

The pair, who are in their 20s and met on the internet five years ago, are marking the first anniversaries of both their commitment ceremony and civil union this month.

"We've got two. We're quite lucky," said Ms Cooper.

They celebrated the commitment ceremony anniversary on April 16 with a weekend away in Auckland.

The ceremony took place a year after they first met in person and they formalised it with a civil union soon afterward.

For their civil union anniversary, they are planning a quiet celebration at home, which is where they exchanged their vows, promising to love each other "in good times and in bad", a year ago on Saturday.

CIVIL UNIONS
Since April 26, 2005

Total: 460
Male/male: 178
Female/female: 199
Male/female: 81
Two relationships changed from marriage to civil union
(Source: Department of Internal Affairs)