The government has won praise from the opposition Labour Party and it's support partner ACT for deciding that men convicted of homosexual acts that are now legal will be able to apply to have their convictions expunged.
Justice Minister Amy Adams made the announcement on Thursday.
She apologised for the hurt that had been caused by the convictions and said she would introduce legislation to parliament later this year.
Labour's justice spokesman, Jacinda Ardern, said the move was "hugely positive" and would right some terrible wrongs.
"It will go some way to healing the distress that many of the victims of past laws and their families still live with," she said.
However, Ms Ardern questioned whether it could have gone further.
"We were hoping that some categories of offences could have been dealt with in a more straightforward way," she said.
ACT leader David Seymour said Ms Adams had done "absolutely the right thing".
"I'm pleased she's done it because it's absolutely wrong for people to continue to be vilified 30 years later for something that should never have been a crime," he said.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said it's is a positive step forward for New Zealand. She said it's some consolation for those who have fought for so long.
"I want to take my hat off to Kevin Hague, who recieved a petition last year while he was here at parliament, asking exacrtly for this and for the apology, so I'm really pleased with the progress."
United Future leader Peter Dunne on Twitter called it "a good, sensible and compassionate decision" by the Government.
The legislation Ms Adams is drafting will allow people with specific convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men 16 years and over, which was decriminalised in 1986, to apply for free to the Secretary of Justice to have the conviction expunged.
Specific convictions include indecency between males, sodomy and keeping places of resort for homosexual acts.
"There is no doubt that homosexual New Zealanders who were convicted and branded as criminals for consensual activity suffered tremendous hurt and stigma and we are sorry for what those men and their families have gone through and the continued effect the convictions have had on them," she said.
It's the first time New Zealand has sought to allow to expunge convictions because views and laws have changed.
Ms Adams said a blanket process for expungement had been considered but wouldn't be appropriate because the law against homosexuality didn't distinguish between consensual and non-consensual activity.
About 1000 men are expected to be eligible, while family members will be able to apply on behalf of people who have since died.
"The only question to be answered in the application process will be whether the conduct would still be criminal today," Ms Adams said.
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