The newly elected archbishop of the Anglican Church in New Zealand says it is too early to say what his church's stance on gay marriage will be under his leadership.
The Bishop of Taranaki, Philip Richardson, was elected on Saturday and will jointly head the church with two other archbishops from 1 May.
Archbishop Richardson says he believes the state has the right to decide who can and cannot be legally married - but that doesn't mean religions will share that view.
The church is having informal discussions on the issue and a formal commission is also helping to work out its stance on gay marriage.
That is likely to be ready in 2014, Archbishop Richardson says, as it is important to get a wide range of views.
The 55-year-old, who is married with two adult children, has been the Bishop of Taranaki since 1999 and wants to continue to live and work there. He was ordained as a priest in 1982.
He will share leadership duties with the leader of the Maori arm of the church, Archbishop Brown Turei, and with Archbishop Winston Halapua who is Bishop of Polynesia.
