Under 18 marriages

The Herald reports:

Teenage marriages were more common in the 1970s. In 1971, 285 boys and 2304 girls aged 16 and 17 were wed.

In the most recent data, for 2015, 12 boys and 36 girls were married aged 16 or 17. That was a slight increase on the previous year when 33 girls and nine boys were wed.

Wow can’t believe so many teen marriages in the 70s.

Also in the article an interesting contrast between Labour MPs:

Labour’s spokesman for Pacific Island Affairs, Su’a William Sio, said he had not heard of forced marriages in Pasifika communities.

“I’m not sure what she’s aiming at. This is the 21st century. That just doesn’t happen.”

Total denial from Sio.

Ardern said the Family and Whanau Violence Legislation Bill, which is before the select committee, has proposed a new offence for the coercion of marriage with a sentence to imprisonment for up to five years. This would cover marriages not governed by New Zealand law or those not legally binding.

“We’re very supportive of taking action.

“People are surprised to hear forced marriage is an issue in New Zealand, but it absolutely is.”

While Ardern says it is a real issue.