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An Auckland church has re-erected a billboard supporting the legalisation of gay marriage and has put the skin up for sale on Trade Me.

The billboard, which was first erected last August when Labour MP Louisa Wall's marriage equality bill was expected to pass, is at the front of St Matthew's-in-the-City and depicts a white wedding cake with two kissing wives as cake toppers.

The slogan reads: "We don't care who's on top." And if word on the street is anything to go by, neither do Aucklanders.

"I think it's really good. It reflects who we are as New Zealanders. We're open to whatever you put up on a sign or whatever happens in life really. It's good. It took me two looks to work out what it was, but it's good," said Sarah Hadwin, 45.

Lawyer Vernon Tava, 34, said: "I think it's high time. It's just happened in France and now it's happened here. I think it's a really good thing and it's high time."

Tava did not think the billboard was controversial.

The billboard skin has been put up for auction on Trade Me with a starting bid of $500.

The seller wrote: "You don't have to be gay or even slightly happy to partake in this auction. In fact, if you are really mad about it, good for you. May the best man, or woman or whatever win."

St Matthew's-in-the-City is no stranger to stirring up debate with its creative billboards, and in the lead-up to Christmas last year its offering depicted a "gay baby Jesus".

The artwork had an image of baby Jesus sporting a rainbow halo, captioned: "It's Christmas. Time for Jesus to come out."

The Advertising Standards Authority received a complaint saying the depiction of Jesus was "akin to hate speech".

The billboard was auctioned on TradeMe this month, with the seller writing on the auction page: "In God's eyes we are all equal, so whether you're gay, Christian or fanatical about something or other, you are all welcome to join in this auction, which is supported by each and all at St Mathew In The City."

In the lead-up to Christmas 2011, St Matthew's erected a billboard featuring the Virgin Mary with a shocked expression as she looked at a pregnancy test.

The billboard was vandalised by Catholic Action Group member Arthur Skinner, who said at the time that the image caused "outrage" among "half a million Catholics in New Zealand".

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8601440/Churchs-controversial-marriage-billboard-back-up