New Zealand’s parliament has voted to legalise same-sex marriage. The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill was passed on Wednesday night by 77 votes to 44.

It is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so. The Australian parliament recently rejected a similar proposal by a two-to-one margin.  

Parliamentarians were allowed a conscience vote, but the measure had the backing of both the Prime Minister John Key and leader of the opposition David Shearer.

However, many New Zealanders are concerned at how fast it has moved through the parliamentary process, and the effects it will have on the country.  

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig said there were many people who disagreed with the bill.

“We’re seeing the politicians make a decision tonight that the people of this country wouldn’t make,” he said.

Bob McCoskrie, founder of the lobby group Family First, said the bill undermined the traditional concept of marriage.

“Historically and culturally, marriage is about man and a woman, and it shouldn’t be touched,” he said.

He added: “In passing the ‘shot-gun’ same-sex marriage bill, Parliament has chosen to reject the obvious cultural and natural character of marriage and the subsequent creation and care of children, and made marriage just about partnership.

“In ramming through this bill in a shameful way without due consideration, and with no clear public mandate, politicians have committed an arrogant act of cultural vandalism.”

The bill, which had its first reading in August 2012, only a month after it was introduced, redefines marriage to include same-sex and transgender couples.  

The law also allows same-sex couples to adopt children, a consequence of the legislation that has not been widely understood within New Zealand.  

There are concerns that the rights of children have been overlooked. “With the accompanying consequence of changes to adoption laws, politicians have also weakened the rights of the child in favour of pandering to the demands of adults,” said McCroskie.  

He added: “A child has a right to a mum and a dad. We should not set out in public policy to deny a child that basic right. This is not a sexuality issue. This is a gender issue. The gender of the parents does matter to a child.”

The Catholic Archbishop of Wellington, Rt Rev John Dew, President of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference, reacting to the passage of the legislation, said: “We find it bizarre that what has been discarded is an understanding of marriage that has its origin in human nature and common to every culture, and that almost all references to husband and wife will be removed from legislation referencing marriage. We know many New Zealanders stand with us in this.”

No other country in the Asia-Pacific region allows gay marriage.