Marriage equality video goes viral

A team of New Zealand celebrities has banded together in a video called "Marriage Equality Matters" to promote same sex marriage.

"Marriage Equality Matters" features Tamati Coffey, Anika Moa, Rachel Hunter and other local celebrities, media personalities and sports people talking about what it means to be able to marry the person you love.

Released this morning, the clip has already gone viral.

"Marriage is only a word, it's about love," says Opshop frontman Jason Kerrison.

"Eventually you get to choose the person that you love, and hopefully be able to marry them too," says television presenter Tamati Coffey in a scene with his partner Tim Smith.

"I would love to be able to get married."

The video, part of a campaign by Marriage Equality New Zealand, urges viewers to "Please call on your friends, family and whanau to remind them that every New Zealander, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves the right to get married and live their life with the person they love."

The video closes with the message: "Come on New Zealand, please support everyone's right to marry the person that they love."

Marriage Equality New Zealand spokesman Conrad Reyners said the video was initiated by Tamati Coffey.

"It was an idea that [Coffey] came up with and he organised with some of his mates in Auckland to put the video together and they've been working together on that.

"There are many different people from all walks of life that are involved in this and I think what it demonstrates is a real community response."

He said this was just one of many things happening across the country to support marriage equality.

Since this morning's release, Reyners said they have received an "absolutely fantastic" response.

"It's gone viral already, it's been shared far and wide.

"We're hoping it will change people's hearts and minds and make them support marriage equality even more than they already do.

"Marriage equality is coming."

- nzherald.co.nz