Fewer marriages and divorces in 2011

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There were 20,231 marriages registered to New Zealand residents in 2011, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the lowest number of marriages since 2001 when 19,972 weddings were celebrated. The number of divorces also dropped, down from 8,874 in 2010 to 8,551 in 2011.

"The decrease in divorces in 2011 is consistent with the recent trend of declining divorce numbers, which started around 2005," Population Statistics acting manager Deb Potter said.

In New Zealand, an application for divorce can be made by either partner on the grounds that the marriage has broken down irreconcilably, provided a two-year separation requirement is satisfied. However, couples may be separated for longer than two years before dissolving their marriage or may separate and never formally dissolve their marriage.

Other statistics on marriages, civil unions, and divorces released today indicate that in the December 2011 year:

• 2,200 additional marriages were registered to overseas residents.

• 301 civil unions were registered to New Zealand residents, of which 23 percent were opposite-sex unions.

• 76 civil unions were registered to overseas residents.

• The first civil unions were celebrated in New Zealand on 29 April 2005. Since then 2,152 residents have registered a civil union.

• Up to 31 December 2011, 83 civil unions had been dissolved in New Zealand.

• The most popular day to wed was Friday 11 November 2011 (or 11/11/11) when 565 couples tied the knot, compared with an average of just 87 for other Fridays in November.

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