Search Browse Media On This Day Map Quotations Timeline Research Free Datasets Remembered About Contact
☶ Go up a page

Timeline: Politics

1861

  • The United Kingdom's death penalty for buggery is abolished (United Kingdom). However, male homosexual acts still remain illegal and are punishable by imprisonment. Link: Wikipedia

17 July 1867

  • Hon Major Richardson introduces the Offences Against the Person Bill (1867) (New Zealand). The Bill states that a person convicted of sodomy can be imprisoned for life and anyone convicted of attempted buggery or an indecent assault on a male can serve up to ten years imprisonment (Offences Against the Person Act 1867 / Unnatural Offences, 58-60). Links: Early NZ Statutes, Hansard

10 October 1867

  • The Offences Against the Person Act (1867) is enacted (New Zealand). The Act says that a person convicted of sodomy can be imprisoned for life and anyone convicted of attempted buggery or an indecent assault on a male can serve up to ten years imprisonment (refer Unnatural Offences, 58-60). Links: Early NZ Statutes, Hansard

1885

  • The buggery law in the United Kingdom is extended to include any kind of sexual activity between males (United Kingdom). (Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885). Link: Wikipedia

19 September 1893

  • New Zealand becomes the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections (New Zealand). Links: NZ History, Papers Past

6 October 1893

  • The Criminal Code Act 1893 is enacted (New Zealand). The Act outlaws any sexual activity between men (even if it's consensual). Penalties include life imprisonment, hard labour and flogging (refer Crimes Against Morality, 136-139). Link: Early New Zealand Statutes

4 August 1908

  • The Crimes Act 1908 is enacted (New Zealand). Section 153-154 (p.598) states that everyone is liable to life imprisonment with hard labour if convicted of buggery, and upto ten-years imprisonment with hard labour for a male convicted of indecently assaulting another male. Link: Early New Zealand Statutes

1 September 1916

  • A Bill is introduced to allow females to wear male clothing and take a male first name (Melbourne, Australia). The Colonist newspaper reports the move as "freak legislation in Victoria". Link: Papers Past

February 1933

  • The Nazi Party launches a purge of gay clubs, publications and groups (Germany). Link: Wikipedia

1941

1954

15 September 1954

  • A committee chaired by Lord Wolfenden begins looking into homosexual offences and prostitution (United Kingdom). The resulting report is published in 1957. Link: Wikipedia

4 September 1957

  • The Wolfenden report is published (United Kingdom). One of the recommendations in the report was that "homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should no longer be a criminal offence.". Link: Wikipedia

1959

  • The Attorney-General H.G.R. Mason tries unsuccessfully to have the penalties for homosexual acts reduced (New Zealand). Links: Queer History NZ, Te Ara

28 July 1967

  • The Sexual Offences Act 1967 decriminalises homosexual acts in England and Wales (United Kingdom). The age of consent is set at 21

8 October 1968

  • A petition signed by 75 prominent New Zealanders calling for homosexual law reform is presented to parliament (New Zealand). The petition is presented to parliament by Labour MP A.H. Nordmeyer on behalf of the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society

23 October 1968

  • The Homosexual Law Reform's Society petition is presented to the Petitions Committee (New Zealand). The petition called for the decriminalisation of homosexual acts in private between consenting males aged 21 and over. Link: University of Auckland

8 November 1968

  • Parliament's Petitions Committee reports back on the Homosexual Law Reform petition (New Zealand). Link: Hansard

28 July 1970

  • The National Party's annual conference decides to seek liberalisation on the law relating to homosexuality (New Zealand). The decision was applauded by the Homosexual Law Reform Society - as noted in an Evening Post article on 28 July. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

25 May 1971

  • The Labour Party annual conference votes favour of homosexual law reform (New Zealand). The conference voted in favour of homosexual acts between consenting males in private be legalised. The vote was so close that a count had to be taken

5 August 1971

  • The Evening Post reports that the National government will not reform the law relating to homosexuality (New Zealand). Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

8 April 1972

  • First Gay Liberation manifesto written (New Zealand)

24 July 1974

  • National MP Venn Young introduces the Crimes Amendment Bill 1974 (New Zealand). The Bill is the first parliamentary attempt at homosexual law reform in New Zealand. The age of consent is set at 21. Links: Hansard, NZ Legal Information Institute

1975

  • Labour MP Gerald Wall moves an amendment to the Crimes Amendment Bill (New Zealand). The amendment proposes that any communication to people under 20 that homosexuality is normal is punishable by two years imprisonment. Link: Hansard

2 May 1975

  • A Parliamentary Select Committee reports back on the Crimes Amendment Bill (New Zealand). The Committee recommends the age of consent be reduced from 21 to 20

21 May 1975

  • Parliament votes to have the Privileges Committee investigate Carmen Rupe's claim that there are gay and bisexual Members of Parliament (New Zealand). Link: Hansard

1 June 1975

  • Television news report: backgrounder before interview with MP Gerard Wall (New Zealand). Seven Days, ref: TZP2235. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

4 July 1975

November 1975

  • Robin Duff stands in the General Election as an openly gay candidate for the Values party (Christchurch)

31 August 1976

  • Television news report: reaction in Raglan to NZ Truth's articles outing MP Marilyn Waring (New Zealand). Tonight, ref: TZP3854. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

2 November 1976

4 November 1976

  • National Prime Minister Robert Muldoon accuses Colin Moyle of having been picked up for homosexual activity (New Zealand). Link: Hansard
  • Television: Interview with Colin Moyle and Robert Muldoon (New Zealand). ref: TZP3793. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

9 November 1976

  • Television: Minister of Police Mick Connelly questioned about Moyle Affair (New Zealand). ref: TZP3790. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

1977

  • Labour MP Colin Moyle resigns from Parliament (New Zealand). Moyle resigns after it is made public by Prime Minister Robert Muldoon that he had been questioned by the police on suspicion of homosexual activities
  • Television: the resignation of Colin Moyle and the Mangere by-election (Auckland). ref: TZP27816. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

January 1977

  • The Campaign to Oppose Persecution begins (Wellington). The campaign was in response to scandals involving allegations of homosexuality against Members of Parliament

February 1977

  • Gay Liberation pickets the Labour Party conference for failing to defend MP Colin Moyle (New Zealand)

11 February 1977

  • Television: Founding of a group opposing the persecution of MPs Marilyn Waring, Gerald O'Brien and Colin Moyle (New Zealand). ref: TZP28785. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

15 February 1977

  • Television news report: Labour Party selects a candidate to replace Colin Moyle (New Zealand). ref: TZP27933. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

May 1977

  • Lesbians picket Parliament for the repeal of abortion laws (Wellington)

7 July 1977

  • The Human Rights Commission Bill Committee reports back to Parliament (New Zealand). Between 23 February and 8 June 1977 the Committee held 13 meetings and received 127 submissions (oral and written). The Committee was asked to include, among other things, sexual orientation in the list of prohibited forms of discrimination. However all of these new grounds were rejected by the Committee who instead wanted the new Human Rights Commission to recommend additions to the Act. Link: Hansard

7 December 1977

  • Television: discussion about the introduction of the massage parlours Bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP25601. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

November 1978

  • Robin Duff and Sandy Gauntlett stand in the General Election (New Zealand). They are both openly gay candidates for the Values Party

1979

  • Labour MP Warren Freer introduces a Crimes Amendment Bill to decriminalise homosexual acts (New Zealand). The Bill has a proposed age of consent of 20

1980

  • Labour MP Warren Freer again proposes homosexual law reform (New Zealand)

20 March 1980

  • The Lesbian Mothers Defence Fund present a submission to the Select Committee considering the Guardianship Amendment Bill (New Zealand)

20 June 1980

  • MP Warren Freer stops working on a Bill that would have adapted the law relating to sexual acts between consenting males (New Zealand). Link: Hansard

July 1980

  • Mayor Michael Fowler stops a lesbian community notice being displayed on Wellington City Council buses (Wellington). Fowler objects to the notice that invites lesbians to "contact your local community"

August 1980

  • The Labour Party nominates Ian Scott as its candidate for Eden (Auckland). Out magazine reports in its August issue that "this is the first time an openly avowed homosexual has been selected by a major political party as its candidate for a a national election, anywhere in the Western world" (Robin Duff stood for the Values Party in 1975 and 1978 as an openly gay candidate)

September 1980

  • Chief Human Rights Commissioner Pat Downey rejects National Gay Rights Coalition submissions (New Zealand). Downey says discrimination is justified in some circumstances

17 December 1982

  • Television: Colin Moyle discusses how he wants to lead the Labour Party (New Zealand). ref: TZP47838. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

22 March 1983

4 July 1983

  • Television: Gay rights activist urges homosexual men to continue donating blood (New Zealand). ref: TZP126004. Auckland gay rights activist urges gay men to keep donating blood until legal prohibitions on homosexuality are relaxed. . Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

14 July 1983

  • Television: Fund to support men charged with homosexual offences set up in Wellington (Wellington). ref: TZP19316. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

9 August 1983

  • Television: Petition presented to Parliament in protest of pornographic commercial TV advertising (New Zealand). ref: TZP16393. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

14 October 1983

  • Television: Marilyn Waring introduces bill to repeal the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act (New Zealand). ref: TZP107484. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

9 April 1984

  • Television: Prime Minister Robert Muldoon compares jouranlistic commentry on the Keith Allen affair to those that had happened during the Colin Moyle affair (New Zealand). ref: TZP110295. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

22 May 1984

  • The New South Wales government votes to decriminalise male homosexual acts (New South Wales, Australia). The age of consent is set at 18 (it is 16 for heterosexual and lesbian couples). The law is enacted on 8 June 1984. Link: Wikipedia

8 June 1984

  • Male homosexual activity becomes legal in New South Wales (New South Wales, Australia). The age of consent is set at 18 (it is 16 for heterosexual and lesbian couples). Link: Wikipedia

7 July 1984

  • MP Fran Wilde meets with members of the gay community to discuss law reform options (Wellington). Link: LAGANZ

August 1984

  • A survey indicates that the new Parliament may be more supportive of homosexual law reform (New Zealand). The survey is conducted by the Pink Triangle magazine. 15 of the new 23 MPs support both decriminalisation and human rights legislation. Link: LAGANZ

1 March 1985

2 March 1985

  • Television news report: Homosexual Law Reform Bill to be introduced to Parliament (New Zealand). ref: TZP13131. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

7 March 1985

  • Television news report: Fran Wilde brings Homosexual Law Reform Bill to Parliament (New Zealand). ref: TZP17245. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: Norman Jones staunchly opposes Homosexual Law Reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP17244. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

8 March 1985

  • Labour MP Fran Wilde introduces the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill passes its first reading 51 to 24 votes. Links: PrideNZ.com, Wikipedia, LAGANZ
  • Television news report: Homosexual Law Reform opponents fail to prevent its referral to a Parliamentary select committee (New Zealand). ref: TZP17247. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

11 March 1985

  • Television: Auckland gay community reacts to Norman Jones' anti-homosexual law reform petition (New Zealand). ref: TZP132922. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

13 March 1985

14 March 1985

  • MPs Geoff Braybrooke, Graeme Lee, Norman Jones and Alan Wallbank launch the anti-homosexual law reform petition (New Zealand). Link: LAGANZ

27 March 1985

  • The anti-homosexual law reform petition is circulated in some schools (New Zealand). Link: Nga Taonga

28 March 1985

  • Television: Close Up on the opposing views behind the age of consent and Homosexual Law Reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP7721. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

31 March 1985

  • Television news report: Gay activists picket the Salvation Army Citadel, in protest of their opposition to homosexual law reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP12484. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

11 April 1985

  • Television news report: gay activists disrupt meeting of anti-reform activists (New Zealand). ref: TZP134033. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: Ministry of Defence want the Armed Forces exempt from the proposed Homosexual Law Reform Bill's provisions (New Zealand). ref: TZP114112. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: Norman Jones and fellow anti-reform petitioners clashes with gay activists (Wellington). ref: TZP13083. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

12 April 1985

  • Television: gay activist Peter Wall interviewed about the meeting of opponents to homosexual law reform, which he disrupted (New Zealand). ref: TZP134039. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

13 April 1985

  • Television news report: Geoff Braybrooke discusses the public meetings about homosexual law reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP17401. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

15 April 1985

  • Television news report: hecklers disrupt public meeting discussing Homosexual Law Reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP14970. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

16 April 1985

  • Television news report: gay activists disrupt meeting of opponents to homosexual law reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP13026. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: Norman Jones speaks to Otago University students about his opposition to homosexual law reform (Dunedin). ref: TZP123172. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

19 April 1985

  • Television: supporters of homosexual law reform holding a meeting in Auckland Town Hall (Auckland). ref: TZP134473. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

26 April 1985

  • Public submissions close on the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand)
  • Television news report: Māori views on Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP12368. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: over 1000 submissions have been made regarding the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP13027. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

29 April 1985

  • Television: Fran Wilde talks about the age of consent in the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP17304. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

30 April 1985

  • Television news report: anti-reform petitioners allege that they are gaining significant support (New Zealand). ref: TZP134541. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

2 May 1985

  • Television news report: anti-reform petition presented to Parliament (New Zealand). ref: TZP134545. Opponents of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill allegedly present Parliament the largest petition ever in New Zealand. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

8 May 1985

  • Television news report: Select Committee begins hearing submissions on the Homosexual Law Reform bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP12361. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

10 May 1985

  • Television: anti-homosexual law reform petition gains half a million signatures (New Zealand). ref: TZP135187. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

17 May 1985

  • Television: Gay Task Force and Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) are accidentally given space at Wellington Show (Wellington). ref: TZP8646. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

20 May 1985

  • Television news report: Government denies cancelling Homosexual Law Reform Bill committee meetings for political gain in Timaru (Timaru). ref: TZP17566. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: gay activists have created a new strategy for dealing with anti-gay lobbyists (New Zealand). ref: TZP13157. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

22 May 1985

  • The Human Rights Commission comes out in support of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand)

24 May 1985

  • Television news report: protest march in support of Homosexual Law Reform Bill in Wellington (Wellington). ref: TZP12496. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

28 May 1985

  • Television news report: New Zealand Democratic Party allegedly running a lesbophobic and sexist smear campaign against women Members of Parliament (New Zealand). ref: TZP12195. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

30 May 1985

  • Television news report: National Party leader Jim McLay claims that his Birkenhead electorate backs his opposition to Homosexual Law Reform Bill (Auckland region). ref: TZP13827. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

10 June 1985

  • Television news report: 800 people fill an Auckland hall to listen to debate about Homosexual Law Reform (Auckland). ref: TZP139255. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

13 June 1985

  • Television news report: Homosexual Law Reform Bill unlikely to pass without changes (New Zealand). ref: TZP12192. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: TVNZ survey reveals Homosexual Law Reform Bill unlikely to survive unchanged (New Zealand). ref: TZP17869. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

18 June 1985

  • Television news report: Gay Task Force present a submission on Homosexual Law Reform Bill to the Select Committee (New Zealand). ref: TZP12345. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

8 July 1985

  • Television news report: new poll shows increased support for homosexual law reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP17698. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

2 October 1985

  • The Select Committee investigating the Homosexual Law Reform Bill votes to end public hearings (New Zealand). The Committee ends public hearings despite 85 people still waiting to be heard

9 October 1985

  • The second reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill begins in Parliament (New Zealand). The second reading will take four weeks. Links: PrideNZ.com, LAGANZ

16 October 1985

  • The second reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill continues in Parliament (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

23 October 1985

  • The second reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill continues in Parliament (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

5 November 1985

  • Parliament debates the petition against the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com
  • Television item (New Zealand). Eyewitness News, ref: TZP15042. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

6 November 1985

  • The second reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill continues in Parliament (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

7 November 1985

20 November 1985

  • The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) considers the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

5 March 1986

  • The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

6 March 1986

25 March 1986

  • The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

26 March 1986

2 April 1986

  • The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

9 April 1986

  • The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand)

16 April 1986

  • Part 2 of the Homosexual Law Reform is voted down in Parliament (New Zealand). Part 2 of the Bill contained anti-discrimination measures. Link: PrideNZ.com

17 April 1986

22 April 1986

23 April 1986

2 July 1986

3 July 1986

9 July 1986

  • Part 1 of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill is narrowly passed by Parliament, 49 votes to 44 (New Zealand). Part 2 of the Bill dealing with anti-discrimination measures was lost on 16 April 1986. Link: Wikipedia
  • Television item (New Zealand). 6:30pm News, ref: TZP11345. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television item (New Zealand). Eyewitness News, ref: TZP11361. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

10 July 1986

11 July 1986

13 July 1986

28 July 1986

8 August 1986

15 June 1987

July 1987

  • Trevor Barnard stands as an openly gay candidate for the NZ Democratic party in Eastern Hutt (Lower Hutt)

13 July 1987

9 August 1987

1 October 1987

1989

  • The Crimes Act incorporates Homosexual Law Reform Act amendments (New Zealand)

20 May 1990

  • A will making workshop for lesbians is held (Wellington)

2 November 1990

27 January 1991

  • A write-in for human rights takes place (Wellington). The event is organised by Queer Planet and takes place at the Victoria Club, above the Grain of Salt in Oriental Bay. An advert for the event reads "Join in writing to the select committee considering the amendments to the Human Rights Act. Add your voice through a group submission and/or your own letter." The event runs from 3-6pm

2 March 1992

28 September 1992

10 November 1992

24 November 1992

14 December 1992

16 December 1992

23 July 1993

26 July 1993

28 July 1993

  • Television item (New Zealand). Holmes, ref: TZP125770. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television item (New Zealand). Counterpoint, ref: TZP126077. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The Human Rights Bill is passed (New Zealand). Among other things, the Bill outlaws discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. The Government is exempt until 31 December 1999

29 July 1993

12 September 1993

23 December 1993

  • MP Chris Carter (Te Atatu, Labour Party) comes out publicly (New Zealand). Carter becomes the first openly gay Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Links: Queer History NZ, Wikipedia

1 February 1994

  • The Human Rights Act 1993 is enacted (New Zealand). The Act outlaws discrimination on a wide variety of grounds including sexual orientation and disability. The Act also provides protection against discrimination for those living with HIV/AIDS. Links: Wikipedia, New Zealand Legislation, NZ.com

16 March 1994

  • MP Chris Carter (Te Atatu, Labour Party) gives his maiden speech in Parliament (New Zealand). Carter is the first openly gay Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Link: Wikipedia
  • Television item (New Zealand). Primetime, ref: TZP142762. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

20 March 1994

8 June 1994

23 August 1994

31 August 1994

30 November 1994

December 1994

  • The High Court rules that post-operative transsexuals can marry in their adopted sex (New Zealand)

16 February 1995

3 April 1995

21 October 1995

  • Georgina Beyer is elected Mayor of Carterton (Carterton). Beyer becomes the world's first openly transexual mayor. Link: Wikipedia

January 1996

  • Labour MP Judith Tizard proposes legalising same-sex marriage (New Zealand)

24 January 1996

1 April 1996

24 April 1996

  • Television item (Auckland). One Network News, ref: TZP168808. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The High Court hears an application by three lesbian couples seeking a ruling on the legality of their marriage applications (New Zealand)

26 April 1996

28 May 1996

29 May 1996

30 May 1996

  • The High Court rules that marriage in common law means between a man and woman (New Zealand)

8 July 1996

9 July 1996

12 October 1996

  • MP Chris Carter (Te Atatu, Labour Party) is defeated in the first MMP General Election (Auckland region). Carter was New Zealalnd's first openly gay Member of Parliament. He returned to Parliament in 1999. Link: Wikipedia
  • Tim Barnett (Christchurch Central, Labour Party) is elected in the first MMP General Election (Christchurch). Barnett, who is openly gay, would subsequently introduce the Prostitution Reform Act (2003) and was heavily involved in the passing of the Civil Union Act (2004). Links: Wikipedia, Parliament

13 December 1996

1997

  • The Government stops funding Consistency 2000 - the Human Rights Commission's investigation into discriminatory legislation (New Zealand)

27 February 1997

  • Labour MP Tim Barnett gives his maiden speech in Parliament (New Zealand). Link: Parliament
  • Television item (New Zealand). One Network News, ref: TZP181656. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

17 March 1997

  • The Waipareira Rainbow branch is established (Auckland). It is established within Labour MP Chris Carter's Auckland electorate. The establishment of the branch marks the birth of Rainbow Labour. A Christchurch branch is formed by Tim Barnett on 3 October 1997. This led to the formation of a Rainbow Sector Council within the Labour Party, which gave the branches a nationwide focus and co-ordinating body

18 August 1997

3 September 1997

3 October 1997

  • A Christchurch Rainbow branch of the Labour Party is established by Tim Barnett (Christchurch). The first Rainbow branch was established in Auckland by MP Chris Carter on 17 March 1997. The establishment of the branches marked the birth of Rainbow Labour. The Rainbow Sector Council within the Labour Party was formed shortly afterwards, which gave the branches a nationwide focus and co-ordinating body

17 December 1997

25 March 1998

May 1998

  • The Government announces a Human Rights Amendment that will prolong the Government's exemption from the Human Rights Commission Act indefinitely (New Zealand)

July 1998

  • Camp Mother (a.k.a. Lynda Topp) announces that she will run for Mayor of Auckland (Auckland). Topp decides to run against Les Mills who was against the HERO festival. She withdraws two weeks before the election
  • The Defacto Property Bill is introduced (New Zealand). It aims to standardise disposal of property on death or separation of unmarried couples (but not same-sex ones)
  • The Labour Relations Bill is introduced, granting same-sex partners leave for partners' sickness (New Zealand)

5 August 1998

  • Hamilton District Court rules a lesbian is liable for maintenance of a child born to her ex-partner during their relationship (Hamilton). There are no corresponding custody rights

19 August 1998

  • National Government introduces a Human Rights Amendment saying it will bring Government into line with HRC Act (with some exceptions) (New Zealand)

26 November 1998

  • The Government's Human Rights Amendment Bill is defeated (New Zealand)

14 April 1999

17 November 1999

28 November 1999

2000

  • The Property (Relationships) Act 2000 becomes law The Act gives de facto couples, whether opposite or same sex, the same property rights on the break-up of a relationship

9 February 2000

3 April 2000

2 May 2000

4 May 2000

19 July 2000

21 September 2000

  • The Prostitution Reform Bill is introduced into Parliament by Labour MP Tim Barnett (New Zealand)

30 October 2000

8 November 2000

  • The first reading of the Prostitution Reform Bill takes place (New Zealand). Link: Parliament

29 March 2001

29 April 2001

16 October 2002

  • Uzi Even becomes the first openly homosexual man in Israel's parliament. Links: Wikipedia, Gay NZ

29 November 2002

  • The Select Committee reports back on the Prostitution Reform Bill (New Zealand). Link: Parliament

19 February 2003

  • The second reading of the Prostitution Reform Bill takes place (New Zealand). Link: Parliament

25 June 2003

  • The Prostitution Reform (Bill 2003) is read a third time, voted on and passed (New Zealand). The Bill was introduced into Parliament by Tim Barnett (Christchurch Central, Labour Party). It passes its third reading 60-59. Links: Handsard, Parliament

28 June 2003

  • The Prostitution Reform Act (2003) is enacted (New Zealand). Link: Parliament

17 July 2003

4 March 2004

21 April 2004

2 May 2004

19 June 2004

21 June 2004

24 June 2004

28 June 2004

1 July 2004

24 August 2004

29 August 2004

1 September 2004

8 September 2004

22 September 2004

21 October 2004

  • MP Georgina Beyer introduces the Human Rights (Gender Identity) Amendment Bill in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill offers specific protection from discrimination on the grounds of gender identity. Beyer later withdraws the Bill in August 2006 following an opinion from Crown Law saying that transgender people are already protected under the existing human rights legislation of New Zealand. Links: Parliament, NZ Herald

22 November 2004

29 November 2004

1 December 2004

  • Television item (New Zealand). Midday, ref: TZP296577. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The Civil Union Bill 2004 passes its second reading in Parliament (New Zealand)

2 December 2004

5 December 2004

6 December 2004

8 December 2004

9 December 2004

  • Television item (New Zealand). One News, ref: TZP296843. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television item (New Zealand). Midday, ref: TZP296841. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The Civil Union Act is passed The Act gives same-sex couples an equivalent to marriage. The legislation is passed 65 ayes/55 noes. Link: Parliament

10 December 2004

12 December 2004

11 April 2005

26 April 2005

5 July 2005

29 October 2005

16 November 2005

  • MP Maryan Street makes her maiden speech in Parliament (New Zealand). Street is New Zealand's first openly out lesbian elected to Parliament (Marilyn Waring was outed by the Truth newspaper in August 1976). Link: Hansard

26 April 2006

9 July 2006

2 August 2006

  • Crown Law releases an opinion saying that transgender people are already protected under the existing human rights legislation of New Zealand (New Zealand). MP Georgina Beyer had introduced the Human Rights (Gender Identity) Amendment Bill in 2004 which would have offered specific protection from discrimination on the grounds of gender identity. However, Crown Law felt that transgender people could make complaints about discrimination under the ground of 'sex'. The legal opinion was also backed by the Human Rights Commission. Links: Hansard, Human Rights Commission

23 August 2006

  • MP Georgina Beyer withdraws the Human Rights (Gender Identity) Amendment Bill from Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill offered specific protection from discrimination on the grounds of gender identity. Beyer withdrew the Bill before its first reading following an opinion from Crown Law saying that transgender people are already protected under the existing human rights legislation of New Zealand. Links: Hansard, Parliament

29 August 2006

14 December 2006

14 February 2007

4 August 2009

  • The Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill is introduced in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill is introduced by the Minister for Justice, National MP Simon Power. Link: Parliament

18 August 2009

  • The first reading of the Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). Link: Parliament

19 October 2009

  • The Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill is considered by a Select Committee (New Zealand). Link: Parliament

24 November 2009

  • The second and third readings of the Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). The removal of the provocation defence - also known as the gay panic defence (Section 169 of the Crimes Act 1961) was in part due to a public outcry when it was used in a heterosexual context by Clayton Weatherston. He claimed he was provoked into stabbing his ex-girlfriend 216 times. He was eventually convicted of her murder. Parliament completes the Second Reading, Committee of the Whole House and Third Reading of the Bill in one sitting day. Links: Parliament, NZ Herald, GayNZ.com

17 June 2010

12 April 2011

26 June 2011

13 August 2011

20 October 2011

15 February 2012

  • Green MP Jan Logie makes her maiden speech in Parliament Logie describes herself as a "leftie, feminist lesbian"

14 May 2012

28 May 2012

4 June 2012

26 July 2012

28 July 2012

30 July 2012

8 August 2012

14 August 2012

20 August 2012

23 August 2012

28 August 2012

29 August 2012

30 August 2012

2 September 2012

14 October 2012

  • Media report that MP Kevin Hague has drafted a bill to enable gay adoption (New Zealand). Link: Stuff
  • Television item (New Zealand). One News, ref: TZP421240. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

26 October 2012

1 November 2012

29 November 2012

30 November 2012

  • Former MP Katherine O'Regan apologies for not including transgender people in the anti-discrimination measures of the Human Rights Act 1993 (Wellington). Link: PrideNZ.com

22 January 2013

10 March 2013

11 March 2013

13 March 2013

14 March 2013

27 March 2013

  • Television item (New Zealand). One News, ref: TZP429393. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television item (Wellington). Tonight, ref: TZP429378. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) debates the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill (New Zealand). MP Jacinda Ardern notes that her great uncle was imprisoned in 1948 for three years as the result of his sexuality. Link: PrideNZ.com

29 March 2013

17 April 2013

18 April 2013

19 April 2013

21 April 2013

27 May 2013

27 June 2013

19 August 2013

  • The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 is enacted (New Zealand). Link: Wikipedia

25 August 2013

28 August 2013

10 September 2013

  • David Cunliffe stands down a campaign worker during his bid for the Labour Party leadership. (New Zealand). Jennie Michie is quoted as remarking earlier "It would be naive to imagine that there would be no resistance to a gay prime minister at this point". Link: Gay NZ

19 October 2013

  • The Government announces it will send a diplomat to watch over New Zealanders attending the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. (New Zealand). Various Members of Parliament had requested the government help protect rainbow people at the games from discrimination and harassment. Link: Gay NZ

5 November 2013

20 December 2013

19 February 2014

  • The second reading of the Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

9 April 2014

  • The third reading of the Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill passed its third reading unanimously. Link: PrideNZ.com

2 July 2014

8 July 2014

27 July 2014

19 May 2015

27 June 2015

6 July 2017

  • Parliament apologies for the hurt and stigma caused by the historic criminalisation of consensual homosexual activity (New Zealand). During the first reading of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill, Justice Minister Amy Adams read the following apology "Today we are putting on the record that this house deeply regrets the hurt and stigma suffered by the many hundreds of New Zealand men who were turned into criminals by a law that was profoundly wrong, and for that, we are sorry.". Links: PrideNZ.com, Parliament.nz
  • The first reading of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill unanimously passes its first reading. Links: PrideNZ.com, Parliament.nz

9 July 2017

  • In a radio interview National MP Chester Borrows says he has changed his mind on same-sex marriage (New Zealand). The departing Member of Parliament talks about how, after voting against Marriage Equality, now supports it. As celebrant he has married a gay couple. Link: RNZ

23 September 2017

  • The General Election sees at least seven rainbow politicians in Parliament (New Zealand). Louisa Wall, Grant Robertson, Meka Whaitiri, Tamati Coffee and Kiritapu Allan (Labour Party); Jan Logie (Green Party) and Chris Finlayson (National Party). Link: Gay Express

27 March 2018

  • The second reading of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill unanimously passes its second reading. Links: PrideNZ.com, Parliament.nz

28 March 2018

  • The Committee of the whole House (Parliament) considers the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill (New Zealand). The Bill is reported back to the House without amendment. The report is then unanimously adopted. Links: PrideNZ.com, Parliament.nz

3 April 2018

  • The third reading of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill unanimously passes its third reading. Link: Parliament.nz

10 April 2018

25 February 2019

  • Minister for Internal Affairs Tracey Martin defers the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Bill (New Zealand). The Minister wanted to give people more opportunities to submit on the proposed changes as well as seek clarification on legal issues relating to gender self-identification. Link: NZ Herald

31 March 2019

  • Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters expresses concern at Brunei's intention to fully implement Sharia law (New Zealand). In a press release he said "New Zealand opposes any kind of discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation. We are also deeply concerned at the use of punishments that are cruel, inhuman or degrading." The laws would allow for the stoning and whipping to death of any citizens that were proved to be gay. Link: Beehive.co.nz

9 December 2021

  • The Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Bill passes its third and final reading (New Zealand). The Bill unanimously passes its third and final reading. Link: Stuff.co.nz

2 February 2022

  • Justice Committee release their final report on the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill (New Zealand). The next step is for the Bill to be debated by the Committee of whole House. Link: Parliament

6 February 2022

  • The petition "Actually Ban Conversion Therapy in New Zealand" is launched (New Zealand). The petition, organised by Shaneel Lal, begins "The New Zealand government is set to ban conversion therapy in the coming week. The government has put forward an inadequate and ineffective Bill that will fail to ban conversion therapy or provide any support to victims and survivors of conversion therapy. The government has ignored queer voices during the select committee process and insists on passing their Bill.". Link: Change.org

29 March 2022

  • Labour MP Louisa Wall resigns (New Zealand). Link: Scoop

22 January 2023

  • Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson loses the Deputy PM role (New Zealand). The change occurred after MP Chris Hipkins was voted in by the Labour Caucus as the new Prime Minister. Robertson had earlier declined to stand for the position of PM. Chris Hipkins announced that MP Carmel Sepuloni would become the new Deputy Prime Minister at their first press conference. Links: Wikipedia, Stuff

5 May 2023

  • MP Elizabeth Kerekere resigns from the Green Party (New Zealand). Link: Stuff.co.nz

3 August 2023

  • MP Elizabeth Kerekere's Human Rights Amendment Bill is drawn from the ballot (New Zealand). The Human Rights (Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Gender Identity or Expression, and Variations of Sex Characteristics) Amendment Bill is drawn from the member's ballot and will be debated in Parliament. Links: Legislation, Ballot

20 February 2024

  • MP Grant Robertson announces that he is going to retire from politics Link: NZ Herald
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/timeline/politics.html