Forced and under-aged marriage may seem like a problem from another part of the world but the ethnic women’s refuge Shakti says it’s dealing with more and more cases in New Zealand.
To give women better legal protection the Marriage (Court Consent to Marry) Amendment Bill is making its way through the House.
The Bill was originally in the name of former National MP Jackie Blue but has been taken up by National’s Jo Hayes who told Phil Smith why the bill is needed.
"It's about time that we put the power back in these young women's hands" - National MP Jo Hayes
National MP Jo Hayes Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox