In a statement issued today, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said he had no personal objection to gay marriage. US President Barack Obama’s support for same-sex marriage earlier this week is said to have prompted Key to break his silence on the topic.

‘I am not personally opposed to gay marriage,’ he said.

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‘It is possible that parliament may consider a member’s bill at some stage, but it is not on the government’s agenda.’

The statement that gay marriage is not a priority is in keeping with comments Key made before the general election last November.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says that she is still opposed to same-sex marriage despite Obama’s statement earlier this week.

New Zealand currently allows same-sex civil unions.

Claire Alexander