The principles Maori live by, such as manaakitanga, or care, make them more receptive to same-sex marriage, a Maori Anglican priest says.
Legislation allowing gay marriage came in to effect in New Zealand on Monday.
Reverend Hirini Kaa says the Anglican Church is yet to decide whether it will marry same-sex couples but says the Maori arm of the church is to hui about it soon.
Adhering to Maori principles, such as whanaungatanga [kinship], manaakitanga and aroha [love] will make it hard to turn gay whanau away, he says.
They will have to work with both the general and Pacific arms of the church about the issue but Rev Kaa believes Maori are more receptive to the idea.
Too many Maori children grow up with a solo parent, and marriage is a good institution, he says.