Could you be the first lucky gay Australian couple to be married in New Zealand? Picture: AFP

Tourism New Zealand is on the hunt for a same-sex couple looking to put a ring on it and be a part of history in the making.

The tourism body announced today it will fly one couple and eight guests to the land of the long white cloud to be the first Australians to wed in NZ, in honour of the recognition of same-sex marriage in New Zealand’s Marriage Amendment Act.

A ceremony will be held on August 19, the first day the Act is officially enforced.

“What we are doing with the competition is to highlight the fact how easy is it to come to New Zealand, get a license and get married,” said Tourism New Zealand’s General Manager Australia Tim Burgess.

“We are excited to be making history and working with one lucky same-sex couple to become the very first from Australia to be married here in New Zealand.”

The union will not be legally recognised in Australia, after Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young’s bill to recognise overseas unions in the country was voted down last week.

A NZ destination for the nuptials are yet to be announced, with Burgess confirming a commercial agreement with a destination partner had yet to be decided upon.

“There are a lot of destinations who are really keen and saying ‘pick us’,” he said.

All will be revealed on July 19, according to the terms and conditions.

Since the bill passed in April, Tourism New Zealand has launched a number of unique social media campaigns targeting Australian travellers.

This time around, keen applicants can apply be visiting LGBT news source Star Observer’s Facebook page by uploading a photo of the happy couple and stating why they would love to get married in New Zealand.

The hopeful outcome from the campaigns is to lure lovebirds ” across the Tasman to get hitched “, resulting in a boom in visitor numbers.

“You never know until you count them at the end of the year, but I’m optimistic the opportunity is there,” Burgess said.

Along with bragging rights, the prize pack includes return flights, accommodation and a wedding reception for up to 20 people.

“We’re looking for people who can hit a number of keywords in their answers, who can speak positively and passionately in their answers,” said Burgess.

New Zealand’s House of Representatives passed a bill to approve same-sex marriage on April 17 with a majority 77- 44.

It was the thirteenth country to allow same-sex couples the right to marry and the first country in the Asia-Pacific.

“We’re really positive about the decision that our government made. I think there should be a lot more conscious votes in parliament,” Burgess said.

“I haven’t seen any negative comments following it in NZ. I was in the Auckland office and there was a real sense of pride between New Zealanders when it was announced.

“From August, welcome one, welcome all.”

Author: Matt Young
Publication: news.com.au
Publication Date: 24 June 2013