between males, and 535 opposite-sex unions. In addition, 474 civil unions were registered to overseas residents. 124 civil unions had been dissolved. Forced civil unions In 2012, National Party MP Jackie Blue submitted a member's bill, the Marriage (Court Consent to Marriage of Minors) Amendment Bill, to address the problem of forced marriages of 16 and 17-year-olds. There are about 80 applications per year for marriages between 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill was picked up by fellow National MP Jo Hayes after Blue left Parliament, and was drawn from the ballot on 13 April 2017. The bill required 16 and 17-year-olds who wish to marry to apply to the Family Court for the consent of a Family Court Judge, in place of consent from a parent or guardian, and set out how the court is to consider the application. At the Select Committee stage, the bill was broadened to cover civil unions and de facto relationships in addition to marriages, and was retitled the Minors (Court Consent to Relationships) Legislation Bill. The bill passed its third reading on 8 August 2018, received Royal Assent on 13 August and came into force the following day. See also Marriage in New Zealand Same-sex marriage in New Zealand LGBT rights in New Zealand LGBT in New Zealand Property (Relationships) Act 1976 References External links Parliamentary Counsel Office - text of the Civil Union Act 2004 Department of Internal Affairs on civil unions Law of New Zealand Politics of New Zealand LGBT rights in New Zealand New Zealand Marriage, unions and partnerships in New Zealand 2005 in LGBT history