New Zealand’s national airline is planning to host the country’s first gay marriage, on board a plane when it becomes legal next month.

Air New Zealand is on the hunt for a Kiwi couple to tie the knot on a flight between Queenstown and Auckland on Monday August 19.

Jesse Tyler Fergusonlrg

It has recruited American actor and same sex marriage campaigner Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who plays Mitchell in Modern Family, to be on board for the stunt.

The openly-gay star is due to wed Justin Mitka in New York this month.

Marriage equality was legalised in New York two years ago.

Air New Zealand’s head of global brand development Jodi Williams said the wedding would attract media interest from around the globe.

“Naturally, the couple’s family and friends will want to be on hand for the special occasion so we have plenty of seats set aside for them,” she said.

The airline is also providing a honeymoon at Palm Springs in the United States.

A bill for the introduction of same-sex marriage was passed by the New Zealand House of Representatives in April by 77 votes to 44.

It will be the first country in Oceania and the 15th in the world to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Couples who want to be the first to marry in New Zealand can enter here before July 26.

Author: Angela Saurine
Publication: Herald Sun;
Date:17 July 2013