PORIRUA City councillors felt they should talk about gay marriage this morning but only one member of the public wanted a say.
The contentious issue raised at the council meeting was why the council was discussing the government’s Marriage Amendment Bill at all.
Reverent Nove Vailaau, minister of Congregational Christian Church of Samoa Porirua was the only member of the public who wanted to speak.
“The sanctity of marriage is not something to be defined by law,’ says Rev Vailaau
He says the bill will split the country, and around the council table the split was in favour of supporting the bill.
Councillor ‘Ana Coffey presented a motion to the council that marriage should be available to all New Zealanders regardless of sexual orientation.
Councillor Tim Shepard says while he supports the bill, it is not the council’s place to get involved.
“I do not think we have any political mandate to stray into areas far away from local government legislation.”
He has asked people he meets if they think council should have a view.
“Every person that I spoke to said ‘no that’s not a council matter’.”
Cr Shepard abstained from the vote.
Cr Coffey says she the council should discuss the matter because of the Local Government Act 2002.
“It talks about promoting social and cultural wellbeing of the community, so I believe I do have a mandate to bring this to our table.”
She says gays are bullied, discriminated against, physically abused and excluded.
“It seems ridiculous in this day and age that people are being beaten up for loving someone of the same sex.”
Mayor Nick Leggett supports the bill and says the council has a place in the discussion because it is a debate going on in the community.
“It’s important the council shows we can be respectful of differences. That is what Porirua is about. I think it’s absolutely right that we have this discussion.”
He says marriage has evolved and expanded and something society needs to accept.
“Marriage should be open to any couple who wish to show their love and commitment to each other in the eyes of society.”
Councillor Sue Dow says as leaders of the city it is relevant to express their views.
“We’ve always had the reputation of being open, accepting and tolerant both as a city and a council.”
She says people should be allowed the choice to marry or not.
“I just think that [stopping gays from marrying] is totally unfair, unreasonable and in a community like ours.”
Marriage is not just for the religious, says Councillor Luafataali’i Litea Ah Hoi.
“We are stuck with this mind-set that marriage is a religious part that needs to be performed in a church, well it doesn’t.”
She says when marriage came about there was no such thing as religion.
“It was about the trading of land and animals.”
Councillor Denys Lathem supports the bill and says everyone is responsible for choices they make.
“If it’s not illegal and it doesn’t have an affect me, my family or our ways of life then go for it.”
One of three councillors who voted against the motion was Councillor Fa’amatuainu Wayne Poutoa.
Cr Poutoa says his personal view is marriage should be between a man and a woman.
“This bill for me is not about being equal and having the right to marry for me it’s about protecting marriage.”
He says legislation will not change the way people receive or respond to the gay community.
The motion was passed this morning with eight councillors voting for the motion, three against and two abstaining.
CAPTION: AGAINST AND FOR: Councillors Liz Kelly and ‘Ana Coffey debate the issue of gay marriage.
