The first same-sex weddings have taken place in New Zealand after the country became the first in the Asia-Pacific region and 14th in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.
Thirty-one same-sex couples had been due to marry on Monday, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.
It comes after New Zealand’s parliament passed a bill in April amending the country’s 1955 marriage act.
The move had faced opposition from Christian lobby groups.
Conservative lobby group Family First said changing the Marriage Act was “an arrogant act of cultural vandalism” which did not have a public mandate.
But the Campaign for Marriage Equality said it ended a historical injustice.
Among the first couples tying the knot were Auckland couple Tash Vitali and Melissa Ray, who won an all expenses paid ceremony in a radio competition.
“The world is still a dangerous and even deadly place for gay, bisexual and transgender people,” Reverend Matt Tittle said, according to stuff.co.nz.
“We thank God that’s not true in New Zealand.
“All love is holy.”