New Zealand's parliament has approved a measure legalizing same-sex marriage.
The vote Wednesday makes the country the first in the Asia-Pacific region and the 13th worldwide to allow gay marriage.
The measure passed by a vote of 77 to 44 and will take effect in August.
After the result was announced, people in the chamber celebrated by singing a song in the indigenous Maori language.
New Zealand had allowed same-sex civil unions since 2005.
The vote Wednesday makes the country the first in the Asia-Pacific region and the 13th worldwide to allow gay marriage.
The measure passed by a vote of 77 to 44 and will take effect in August.
After the result was announced, people in the chamber celebrated by singing a song in the indigenous Maori language.
New Zealand had allowed same-sex civil unions since 2005.
