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Polygamy in New Zealand
The legal prohibition of multiple spouses and the limited recognition of foreign polygamous unions.
New Zealand law prohibits performing polygamous marriages or civil unions within its borders. While traditional Māori society once allowed such unions among chiefs, British colonial law banned them in 1840. Today, only foreign polygamous marriages receive limited legal recognition under specific conditions.
New Zealand strictly forbids polygamous marriages. A person already married cannot legally wed another person in the country. This rule applies to both marriages and civil unions. The law stems from British colonial history that replaced traditional Māori practices. Today, the state offers very little recognition to multiple-partner unions formed abroad.
Legal status and bigamy
Entering a second marriage while already married is a crime called bigamy. This offence carries a prison sentence of two to seven years. The Marriage Act 1955 regulates these unions. In 2013, an amendment defined marriage as a union between two people. This change explicitly allowed same-sex marriage but did not address polygamy. The law remains clear that solemnising multiple marriages in New Zealand is illegal.
Historical context
Traditional Māori society practised polygamy to a limited extent. It was mostly common among rangatira, or tribal chiefs. When New Zealand joined the British Empire in 1840, British law prohibited these unions. Colonial rules initially allowed Māori to follow their own customs until 1888. However, polygamy remained largely prohibited by general law throughout the twentieth century.
Foreign marriage recognition
New Zealand offers limited recognition to polygamous marriages performed overseas. The Family Proceedings Act 1980 allows this if the parties were domiciled in a country where polygamy was legal at the time. Crucially, no person involved could have been living in New Zealand when the union occurred. This provision creates a narrow exception for international relationships formed elsewhere.
Public debate and advocacy
Advocacy for legalisation comes from small libertarian groups and some non-Christian religious members. There is little public support for changing the law. No major political party has endorsed legalising polygamy. During the same-sex marriage debate in 2012, opponents warned it might lead to polygamy. Supporters rejected this link and cited Canadian laws that still ban the practice.
When and where
New Zealand
Then and now
The practice remains illegal and unsupported by mainstream politics. Advocacy groups continue to push for legalisation, but public opinion stays against it. The legal framework continues to prohibit domestic polygamous ceremonies while maintaining strict penalties for bigamy.
Questions people ask about Polygamy in New Zealand
Is polygamy legal in New Zealand?
No. Performing a polygamous marriage or civil union in New Zealand is illegal. Entering a second marriage while already married is a crime known as bigamy, punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Does New Zealand recognise foreign polygamous marriages?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances. The Family Proceedings Act 1980 recognises such unions if they were formed in a country where polygamy was legal and none of the parties were living in New Zealand at the time.
What was the role of polygamy in traditional Māori society?
Polygamy existed in traditional Māori society, primarily among rangatira or tribal chiefs. This practice was suppressed after British law took effect in 1840, though some customs persisted until 1888.
Is there political support for legalising polygamy?
There is little public support and no endorsement from major political parties. Small libertarian organisations and some religious individuals advocate for it, but the government has stated it has no plans to legalise the practice.
See also
Civil union in New ZealandA legal partnership for same-sex and opposite-sex couples established by statute in New Zealand.
ʻIe tōgaPrestige woven mats exchanged at Samoan weddings to honor family ties and chiefly status.CelebrancyA profession of secular officiants who create personalised life ceremonies for people outside traditional religious or sGood reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Polygamy in New Zealand", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryShaadi rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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