New Zealand is now the 13th nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, bringing equality to the Asia-Pacific region for the first time.

Prime Minister John Key of the center-right National party supported the bill, as did the opposition Labour MPs.  Members of the various parties were encouraged by their leaders to vote their consciences, rather than party lines.  It passed on a vote of 77 to 44 Wednesday Night.

New Zealand has had civil unions since 2005.  The new legislation will allow gay couples to jointly adopt children for the first time and will also allow their marriages to be recognized in other countries.  It takes effect in late August.

Although 75 thousand people signed a petition opposing marriage equality, polls have shown the two-thirds of New Zealand voters are in favor.  A change in public opinion apparently happened when US President Obama signaled his evolving position on Equality last year.

The move may put pressure on Australia to get off of the fence and approve marriage equality. “There's this really big, pent-up demand for this in Australia,” said Rodney Croome, the national director for the lobbying group Australian Marriage Equality.

“New Zealand is just a three-hour plane ride away, and many couples are going to go to New Zealand to marry. They are just so sick and tired of waiting for the government to act. I think it's going to spark this big tourism boom.”