Huge fall in child marriages

Just six marriages involving young teenagers have been approved since a law was changed to try to prevent forced marriage. While some children’s advocates say that’s a sign the legislation is working, others are pushing for it to go further. Currently, people aged 16 or 17 have to convince a Family Court judge they understand marriage and are not being pressured before they can wed. However, before Parliament passed the Marriage (Court Consent to Marriage of Minors) Amendment Bill last year, they needed only their parents’ consent. It’s estimated an average of 30 marriages involving 16- and 17-year-olds were registered in New Zealand each year before the law change. Since the law came into effect, 11 applications have been made by people younger than 18 years old, Official Information Act data shows. Judges approved six applications, and dismissed one. Three are being decided and another lapsed or was withdrawn.