Opposition

This bill has been opposed by many. In a debate held on the morning show, Bob McCroskrie, National Director of the conservative lobby group, Family First, brought up his concerns. Bob is not against equality but he is against the marriage amendment because he thinks that a marriage is between a man and a woman because only a man and a woman can produce a child, he then goes on to say that the commitment between same sex couples can be recognized in a civil union. His concerns are that if this amendment is pushing for equality in marriage and the right to marry then what stops two or more people from entering this constitution? And if this is about equality then why shouldn't a father and daughter or mother and son be allowed to marry as they are discriminated against as well. As disturbing as these things sound, Louisa Wall insisted that that was not what her bill is about, she accused Mr. McCroskrie of “scaremongering”, saying that her bill is to let two people who love each other, be they of the same sex or no, to be allowed to marry under law in New Zealand.

As Mr. McCroskrie brought up these things, I started thinking and looking up other aspects of disapproval. The Catholic Church is against the new amendment, and a few members of parliament refused to vote as they did not have a clear standing on the matter as representatives of certain communities.

With the churches stand, they were worried that if the bill goes forth, will they be forced to sanction a marriage that goes against their beliefs. Louisa Wall has assured that this is not the case and that they may refuse if they wish.
   
Another thing that has had many people up in arms about the proposed amendment is the adoption laws. The marriage laws allow married people to adopt children. But because the amendment will allow married same-sex couples to adopt as they would be included in the definition of spouse, giving them the legal right to adopt under the Adoption Act 1955.