*** Transcriber's Note: Please set your voice synthesiser to read most punctuation. When you encounter the caret sign at the end of a line, please enter the applicable information, if necessary. *** Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua Registry Ceremony Civil Union Statements Registry ceremonies are standardised to meet the legislative requirements of entering into a civil union, which includes the civil union statements. The ceremony usually takes 30 minutes in total from the time the couple arrive, saying the statements, and for signing the papers. The space for guests is often limited. Other persons may not generally be involved in the ceremony. There are English and Maori versions of the statements. If the couple would like to use the Maori version, they will need to discuss that with the celebrant when booking the ceremony. If the celebrant agrees, the couple will need to provide an interpreter if any of the celebrant, couple and witnesses do not understand the language. Before the ceremony starts, the interpreter should sign the “Declaration to translate a marriage or civil union ceremony”, which can be downloaded from www.govt.nz/bdm. The form also needs to be signed by the celebrant. Option 1 Civil Union Statements Nga tauaki hononga a-ture 1 Celebrant Good morning/afternoon, my name is <……….> and it is my pleasure to welcome you all here today to celebrate this Civil Union between and . Tena koutou, ko <………….> toku ingoa, a, tenei te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa kua tae mai nei ki te whakanui i tenei Hononga a-Ture i waenga i a raua ko . 2 The law requires that each of you make a clear statement to your partner in my presence and in the presence of at least two other witnesses identifying yourselves by name and acknowledging that you are freely joining in a civil union with each other. The signing of the civil union registration papers then follows. I raro i te ture me whakaputa e korua he tauaki marama ki to hoa i mua i toku aroaro, a, i mua i te aroaro o tetahi tokorua i te iti rawa e tohu ana i a korua ma o korua ingoa me te ahukahuka ano e herekore ana to korua whakauru ki tetahi hononga a-ture tetahi ki tetahi. Ka whai ake ko te waitohutanga o nga tuhinga rehita hononga a-ture. 3 I’ll now call upon each of you to make that statement, please repeat after me: Ka karanga ake ki a korua kia whakapuakina taua tauaki, tena whakahua i muri i ahau: 4 <> please repeat after me: , tena whakahua i muri i ahau: 5 Celebrant and Party 1 I acknowledge that I am freely joining in a civil union with you . E ahukahuka ana ahau, a , e herekore ana toku whakauru ki tetahi hononga a- ture me koe . 6 <> please repeat after me: <> tena whakahua i muri i ahau: 7 Celebrant and Party 2 I acknowledge that I am freely joining in a civil union with you . E ahukahuka ana ahau, a , e herekore ana toku whakauru ki tetahi hononga a- ture me koe . 8 Celebrant I’ll now invite you to exchange rings: Tena whakawhitia nga ringi: 9 , please place the ring for on his/her finger. , tena whakamaua te ringi ma ki tona manawa. 10 , please place the ring for on his/her finger. , tena whakamaua te ringi ma ki tona manawa. 11 These rings serve as a symbol of the statements you have made to each other. E tohu ana enei ringi i nga oati kua whakapuakina e korua ki a korua ano. 12 and , I now pronounce you to be lawfully joined in a civil union. korua ko , tenei te whakahua i a korua kua hono korua i roto i te hononga a-ture whaimana. 13 Congratulations. Tena rawa atu korua. Option 2 Civil Union Statements Nga tauaki hononga a-ture 1 Celebrant Welcome … Nau mai, haere mai 2 I welcome you here today to celebrate, recognise and witness the civil union between << Party 1 Full name>> and <>. They have asked you to be with them today because they value your friendship and love, and thank you for sharing this important day with them. Nau mai haere ki te whakanui, ki te whakamana me te matakitaki i te hononga a-ture i waenga i a << Party 1 Full name>> raua ko <>. Na raua te pohiri ki a koutou kia noho tahi me raua i te mea he nui rawa ki a ratau to koutou piritata, aroha hoki, me te mihi atu i tae mai koutou ki te tautoko i tenei ra tino whakaharahara me raua. 3 In choosing a civil union <> and <> are making a sincere commitment to go forward in their lives as partners … promising love, support and encouragement throughout their lives together. He tino paiherenga tenei hononga a-waenga i waenga i a <> raua ko<> kia noho tahi raua hei hoa hononga a-ture i roto i o raua ao... e ki taurangi ana i to raua aroha, tautoko, whakamanawa i te roanga atu o o ratau ra. 4 No ceremony can create a partnership; only the couple can do that—through love and patience; through dedication and perseverance; through talking and listening, helping and supporting and believing in each other. What this ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice they make to stand together as life mates and partners. E kore te patuitanga e puawai i te whakaritenga anake; ma nga tokorua anake tera—ma te aroha me te manawanui; ma te pumau me te manawaroa; ma te korero me te whakarongo, ma te awhina, te tautoko me te whakapono tetahi ki tetahi. Ma tenei whakahaere e whakaatu me te whakau i to raua hiahia kia tu ngatahi raua hei hoa pumau, hoa rangatira hoki. 5 Statements Nga tauaki 6 We come now to the words that will confirm that choice … the civil union statements. The statements that will declare to each other, and to us who witness, their intentions and commitment to their civil union. I tenei wa ka puta nga kupu e whakau ana i tera hiahia... nga tauaki o te hononga a-ture. Ka whakapuaki ki a raua ano, me tatau e matakitaki atu nei, nga tauaki o to raua koronga me to raua paiherenga ki to raua hononga a-ture. 7 The law requires that each of you declare before me and at least two other witnesses that you are freely entering into this civil union and that you take the other person to be your lawful partner. I raro i te ture me whakapuaki e korua i mua i ahau me etahi atu tokorua i te iti rawa e whakauru herekore ana korua ki tenei hononga a-ture, a, ka whakaae koe ki a ia hei hoa hononga a-ture mau i raro i te ture. 8 I will now ask each of you to make that statement … Ka tonoa korua inaianei ki te whakaputa i taua tauaki… 9 <> please repeat after me: , tena whakahua i muri i ahau: 10 Celebrant and Party 1 I vow that I do not know of any legal objection to this civil union between myself <> and <> E oati ana ahau kaore ahau i te mohio ki tetahi whakahenga a-ture ki tenei hononga a-ture i waenga i ahau, a <>, me <> 11 I, <>, acknowledge that I am freely joining in a civil union with you, <>. E ahukahuka ana ahau, a <>, e herekore ana toku whakauru ki tetahi hononga a-ture me koe <>. 12 <> please repeat after me: <> tena whakahua i muri i ahau: 13 Celebrant and Party 2 I vow that I do not know of any legal objection to this civil union between myself <> and <> E oati ana ahau kaore ahau i te mohio ki tetahi whakahenga a-ture ki tenei hononga a-ture i waenga i ahau, a <>, me <> 14 I, <>, acknowledge that I am freely joining in a civil union with you, <>. E ahukahuka ana ahau, a <>, e herekore ana toku whakauru ki tetahi hononga a-ture me koe <>. 15 Celebrant Exchange of Rings Te Whakawhiti i Nga Ringi 16 Rings are symbols of your love and the statements you have made. As you wear these rings, may they be constant reminders of your promises and your commitment to your relationship. I a koe e mau ana i enei ringi, he whakamahara ukiuki i a korua tauaki, paiherenga hoki ki to korua hononga. 17 I now invite you to exchange rings: Tena whakawhitia nga ringi: 18 <> please place the ring for <> on his/her finger. <>, tena whakamaua te ringi ma ki tona manawa. 19 <> please place the ring for <> on his/her finger. <> tena whakamaua te ringi ma <> ki tona manawa. 20 Pronouncement Whakapuakanga 21 Congratulations … today you have made a true commitment to each other … we wish you both a fulfilling life together, rich in caring and in happiness. Tena rawa atu korua... kua oti i a korua te paihere i a korua tetahi ki tetahi i tenei ra ... ko te tumanako ka rangatira ta korua noho tahi, i runga i te manaaki me te hari nui. 22 And now … No reira … 23 <> and <>, I now pronounce you to be lawfully joined in a civil union. <> korua ko <>, tenei te whakahua i a korua kua hono korua i roto i te hononga a-ture whaimana. 24 Congratulations. Tena rawa atu korua. Last updated 18 May 2020