Expunging historical gay sex convictions back on agenda in NZ

NEW Zealand’s new Justice Minister Amy Adams has said she would look into expunging historical convictions of consensual gay conduct, just weeks after Australian states Victoria and NSW passed similar laws.

Adams in a recent article published in The Dominion Post, where she said “it would be a good thing to do”.

Sex between men was previously illegal in NZ until 1986, thanks to the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Act.

“The law as it used to be was grossly wrong, and I think most New Zealanders now would recognise that,” Adams said.

However, it’s not the first time the issue has come up in NZ politics, with former Justice Minister Judith Collins previously recieving advice about options for pardoning or expunging those convictions earlier in the year.

Adams said the issue has “cropped up” since then and was open to hearing  thoughts and arguments on it, while also highlighting that it would not be a straightforward process.

“I have seen some numbers that suggest you would have to do it very carefully if you were to consider it, simply because a number of the offences under the old legislation would still be offences, so it’s not a broad brush,” she said.

Exact details of a proposed legislation have not yet been released.

NZ has already enacted marriage equality legislation, and in May, the country slightly relaxed its ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men, reducing the deferral period five years to 12 months following sexual activity.