[Marc]

New Zealand's parliament has legalised same-sex marriage, the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so.

Lawmakers approved the bill on Wednesday, amending the country's 1955 marriage act.

The bill was passed with a wide majority, with 77 votes in favour and 44 against.

Hundreds of jubilant gay-rights advocates celebrated outside parliament after the bill was passed, calling it a milestone for equality.

However, there had been strong opposition from Christian lobby groups.

Opinion polls have suggested that about 70% of New Zealanders supported the reform.

Parliamentarians were allowed a conscience vote, and, crucially, the reform had the backing of both the conservative Prime Minister John Key and the leader of the opposition, the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney reports.

Celebrations have been held in pubs and clubs in the capital Wellington, our correspondent adds.

Tania Bermudez and Sonja Fray, a same-sex couple, said the bill was about human rights.

"It means that we can actually call each other wife," Ms Fray said.

However, 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.

Lobby group Protect Marriage had also launched an online campaign, saying the change would undermine the traditional concept of marriage.

Other countries who have legalised gay marriage include the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa and Argentina.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22184232