Consent for minors to marry — cultural considerations — Marriage Act 1955, ss 18, 19 & 20 — Simpson v Contreras [2019] NZFLR 65. The applicant, who was 16 years old, applied to the Court for consent to marry the respondent, who was almost 19. The parties wanted to carry out a religious marriage ceremony as soon as possible. Having heard submissions from the lawyer for the Court as well as from the parties' family members, the Court determined that the applicant was asking for consent voluntarily, that she understood the consequences of the application and that the marriage would be in the parties' best interests. The Court granted the application. Judgment Date: 30 June 2021. * * * Note: names have been changed to comply with legal requirements. * * *