MP thanks her partner as Parliament votes on historic law

The sponsor of a bill to make gay marriage legal thanked her "darling" partner before a historic vote on the last step towards marriage equality.

Labour MP Louisa Wall, wearing a glittering rainbow-coloured coat, was the first to speak last night at the third reading of the Marriage Amendment Bill, which was expected to pass comfortably into law by 10pm.

Before a packed public gallery, she told MPs New Zealand was part of a global community discussing marriage equality, pointing out that 12 countries had already legalised same-sex marriage.

"The US President has declared his support unequivocally. The Queen has recently signed a Commonwealth Charter that explicitly opposes all form of discrimination which she describes as emphasising inclusiveness. The UK, led by their Prime Minister, has introduced legislation."

The Labour MP for Manurewa, who is gay, thanked her "darling" civil union partner Prue Kapua for "sharing this journey with me".

Ms Wall also acknowledged the party leaders in the House who had shown leadership by supporting her bill - Prime Minister John Key, Labour leader David Shearer, Act leader John Banks, United Future leader Peter Dunne, Mana leader Hone Harawira and Maori Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia.

"Nothing can counteract the very real negative consequences of not passing this bill. But nothing could make me more proud to be a New Zealander than passing this bill.

"I thank my colleagues for simply doing what is just, fair and right."

New Zealand First voted against the bill at previous readings because it wanted a referendum to be held on the issue. This proposal was ruled out of order at the second reading.

The bill is decided by conscience vote, not along party lines. Nearly half of the National Party had backed it so far, as had all but three Labour MPs.

Ms Wall said it was important to learn from history, and cited examples of marriage being used as a tool of oppression - the banning of marriage between German nationals and Jews in 1935, and the banning of inter-racial marriage in South Africa before 1985.

"Excluding a group in society from marriage is oppressive and unacceptable. Today we're embarrassed and appalled by these examples. And in every instance it was action by the state. This is not about church teachings or philosophy. It never has been."

Ms Wall stressed that her private member's bill would not legalise criminal offences such as marriage between more than two people, that religious ministers would be able to choose who they married, and that adoption laws would not be changed.

MPs heard the story of a gay mother whose partner had to have her name struck off her daughter's birth certificate when she died, because only one person in a gay couple could be recognised as a parent or guardian.

The law change meant both people in a gay couple would be recognised as a parent of an adopted child.

Ms Wall said there had been few occasions in Parliament when the public gallery was overflowing, with such a crowd only observed otherwise at Treaty of Waitangi settlements. Hundreds more watched the debate in the legislative chamber and in bars, pubs, and churches nationwide.