Marriage (registered): Before 19 August 2013 a marriage involved the act, ceremony, or process by which the legal relationship of husband and wife was constituted. From 19 August 2013 a marriage involves the act, ceremony, or process by which the legal relationship of two people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, is constituted. In New Zealand, marriage may be solemnised either by a celebrant or before a registrar of marriages. A licence must be obtained from a registrar before a marriage by a celebrant can be solemnised, and notice must be given by one of the parties to a registrar.
Civil Union (registered): The act, ceremony or process by which the legal relationship of two people is constituted. A civil union may be entered into by couples of the same sex or by couples of different sexes. In New Zealand, a civil union may be solemnised either by a civil union celebrant or before a registrar of civil unions. A licence must be obtained from a registrar before a civil union can be solemnised, and notice must be given by one of the parties to a registrar. The first civil unions were celebrated on 29 April 2005.
Data calculation/treatment
Data relates to marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand where partner two is resident in New Zealand by month of marriage or civil union (not month of registration).
At URL provided, select 'Population > Marriages, Civil Unions, and Divorces - VSM > Marriages and civil unions by month and year of marriage (Monthly)'. All variables were selected to create this dataset.
From the dataset Marriages, Civil Unions, and Divorces: Marriages and civil unions by month and year of marriage September 2024, this data was extracted:
Rows: 3-311
Column: 2
Provided: 309 data points
Dataset originally released on:
August 28, 2025
About this dataset
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year.
Method of collection/Data provider
Stats NZ receive a monthly electronic file of registered marriages and civil unions from Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Stats NZ are responsible for processing and publishing statistics derived from the marriage and civil union registrations.