New Zealand OKs same-sex marriage

Dozens of same-sex couples said "I do" Monday as New Zealand became the first Asian-Pacific country and the 14th in the world to have same-sex marriage.

Vows were exchanged in venues ranging from an airliner cruising at 30,000 feet to a historic bathhouse as gay men and women took advantage of the change in law.

The Campaign for Marriage Equality said the shift ends a historical injustice and means the love of all people is recognized as equal in the eyes of the law.

"A massive congratulations to the happy couples tying the knot today. Marriage equality has finally arrived in New Zealand," CME spokesman Conrad Reyners said.

The amendment to the Marriage Act was passed by parliament in April but did not come into effect until 8:30 a.m. Monday (4:30 p.m. EDT Sunday), after the government offices that issue marriage licenses opened.

Air New Zealand staged a special flight from Auckland to Queenstown on which Lynley Bendall and Ally Wanikau tied the knot in the air after 14 years together, with American gay-rights campaigner and actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson from the hit comedy "Modern Family" in attendance.

"To be married at 30,000 feet beneath strings of fairy lights with our children, friends and family as witnesses makes an already memorable day that much more special," Bendall said.

"It was surreal to have Jesse play a part in the ceremony too."

However, conservative lobbying group Family First said changing the Marriage Act was "an arrogant act of cultural vandalism" that politicians had pushed through without a public mandate.

"Social engineers, including politicians and activists, are expecting marriage supporters to drop their deeply held convictions because of the misguided decisions of politicians," Family First national director Bob McCoskrie said.

New Zealand decriminalized homosexuality in 1986 and has allowed same-sex civil unions since 2005.

At least 31 same-sex couples indicated they would marry on Monday, usually the least popular wedding day, and inquiries about staging same-sex weddings in New Zealand were received from Russia, the United States, Hong Kong, Britain, Singapore, Malaysia, Guyana and Belgium.

About 1,000 same-sex couples in Australia said they plan to travel to New Zealand to marry, according to the group Australian Marriage Equality.

Al Jazeera and Agence France Presse