NEW Zealand's gay marriage bill is on track to become law after passing its second reading with a strong majority.
MPs cast conscience votes and the count late on Wednesday night was 77-44.
On its first reading in August the count was 80-40.
Labour MP Louisa Wall, who drafted the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, says lobbying has been "ferocious" with MPs' inboxes clogged and some systems crashing.
She opened the second reading debate with an appeal for equality.
"We are normal, we are entitled to the same rights as every other citizen," she said.
"The issue of coming out, of being true to who you are, is difficult enough and the discussion around this bill has emphasised how real the discrimination is."
National's Tim Macindoe opposed the bill, saying it offends tens of thousands of New Zealanders.
His caucus colleague Chris Auchinvole said he was committed to supporting the bill.
"As an older person I remember when homosexuality was illegal ... now it is time to look after their interests. We must pass this bill."
NZ First leader Winston Peters repeated his call for a referendum.
"We are doing this without a mandate. Every New Zealander has the right to have their say."
National's Kanwal Bakshi, parliament's only Muslim MP, said marriage was a faithful union between a man and a woman.
"It has a unique sanctity and changing its definition has grave implications for society, we must consider the public good."
Another National MP, Tau Henare, said the bill wasn't going to have any impact on his life at all.
"This has everything to do with other people's happiness and is the sky going to fall in? I have to say it isn't."
National's Chester Borrows said he had been disgusted by some of the comments he had heard from people who opposed the bill and called themselves Christians.
The bill still has to pass its committee and third reading stages before becoming law.
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