The New Zealand parliament passed legislation this week which removes historical convictions for gay sex offences. The government also offered an apology to those who had been affected by the former laws.

The move follows similar legislation being introduced in the United Kingdom and in several Australian States. Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan delivered a similar apology in 2017 and the legislation is currently being considered by the Legislative Council.

New Zealand’s Justice Minister, Andrew Little, said the previous laws has been wrong.

I would like to apologise again to all the men and members of the rainbow community who have been affected by the prejudice, stigma and other negative effects caused by convictions for historical homosexual offences,” Little told New Zealand’s parliament on Tuesday.

“This bill sends a clear signal that discrimination against gay people is no longer acceptable, and that we are committed to putting right wrongs from the past.”

The new legislation relates to three offences that were removed in 1986 – sodomy, indecency between males and keeping a place of resort for homosexual acts.

It is expected that 1,000 New Zealanders will benefit from the historical convictions being removed from their records.  To qualify, the sex that led to the conviction must have been consensual and taken place between those aged 16 years or older.

Family members of people who had convictions but have since passed away, can apply for their deceased family member’s record to be cleared. The laws were in place from 1908 to 1986.

OIP Staff