Records wiped for convicted gay NZ men

Men convicted of having gay sex under previous New Zealand laws with have their records wiped.

New Zealand is now home to the queerest parliament in the world, with LGBTIQ+ members now making up 10 per cent of its elected officials. Source: AAP

Gay men in New Zealand who were convicted of homosexuality more than three decades ago when it was considered a crime will soon be able to have their records cleared.

Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced a scheme to wipe clean the criminal records of people convicted of indecency, sodomy or providing a place for homosexual acts.

But she said they would not receive any compensation.

The scheme is broadly supported by lawmakers and is expected to be approved by the Parliament. Adams estimates about 1,000 gay men will be eligible to have their convictions quashed.

In New Zealand, homosexuality was decriminalised in 1986. Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2013.

Sex between women was never explicitly illegal under New Zealand law.