New Zealand split of Homosexual Marriage
A bill to legalise same-sex marriage is close to having the numbers to pass its first stage, despite an attempt by New Zealand First to derail it. A Herald poll of all 121 MPs found 54 of them intend to vote for Labour Party MP Louisa Wall 's private member's bill, which would redefine marriage as a union of two people, "regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity". It was expected to be decided by a conscience vote, and needs 61 votes to pass. But many MPs have refused to take a side on the contentious debate, and the final vote could be close. New Zealand First yesterday complicated the process, with leader Winston Peters suggesting the party might abstain from the first vote - expected to take place in late August. Mr Peters called for a referendum to be held on same-sex marriage. "Serious issues like this should be decided by the public of this country, and not a few temporary, empowered politicians." He would no