New Zealand is set to become the one of the latest nations to allow same-sex marriage after the country 's Parliament passed a bill legalizing the practice Wednesday . Parliament voted 77-44 on the bill 's third reading , which is the penultimate step to enact laws in New Zealand . The final step , in which the governor-general gives royal assent , is generally a given . Local media report that the law is expected to take effect in four months . The bill 's sponsor , Louisa Wall , released a statement saying she was `` very proud to be a member of a Parliament that has voted overwhelmingly to give New Zealanders , regardless of their sex , sexual orientation or gender , the right to marry . '' New Zealand 's move comes a week after Uruguayan lawmakers approved a measure legalizing same-sex marriage . The measure awaits the signature of Uruguay 's president , who has indicated he supports it . If the laws in New Zealand and Uruguay are enacted , the count of nations allowing same-sex marriage would rise to 13 . Lawmakers in a few other nations , including the United Kingdom and France , also are considering whether to allow same-sex couples to marry . The Supreme Court of Nepal ruled in favor of legalization in 2008 , but those rights have n't been put into effect because the country 's new constitution has been stuck in limbo for years . Of the 11 countries in which same-sex marriage is legal , eight are in Europe . The Netherlands was the first , in 2001 , and it was later joined by Belgium , Spain , Norway , Sweden , Iceland , Portugal and Denmark . Argentina , Canada and South Africa are the three non-European countries in the group .
Uruguay votes 13 on bill 's third reading . Law expected to take effect in four months , local media report . New Zealand same-sex marriage measure awaits president 's signature . If Uruguay and Uruguay 's measures take effect , 77-44 nations would allow same-sex marriage .