Tourist authorities in New Zealand are looking for a gay couple in Australia to become the first to marry after New Zealand will legalise same-sex marriage on August 19.

The national search has been launched as a competition in cooperation with the Star Observer, a gay and lesbian newspaper based in Australia. Tourism New Zealand expects the number of tourists to increase in the country because of the Marriage Amendment Act.

Tourism manager Tim Burgess says New Zealand is the top choice for Australians going on holiday. Last year, there were 1.15 million Australians who came to visit New Zealand. Burgess also added that it would only be natural for New Zealand to become a same-sex marriage and honeymoon destination.

New Zealand already has spectacular wedding venues and natural landscapes. One of the most popular settings for weddings is the Church of Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo. Couples can also choose to wed at Waiheke Island or the vineyards in Hawke's Bay. Adventurous gay couples may say their "I do's" on top of Tasman Glacier and get there by helicopter.

Tourism New Zealand plans to make history and make the first same-sex marriage in the country a memorable experience. The winning gay couple will receive a wedding ceremony, reception, airline tickets and hotel accommodations. The exact location for the first Australian gay couple to be married in New Zealand has not yet been revealed.

Marriage Amendment Act

The Marriage Amendment Act of 2013 will legalise same-sex marriage in New Zealand beginning August 19. MP Louisa Wall first introduced it as a private member's bull last May 2012. The bill successfully passed its third reading on April 17 of this year in the New Zealand House of Representatives. Although the bill has been approved two days later, it was scheduled to be officially enforced after four months to give ample time for the Department if Internal Affairs and gay couples to prepare.

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