A full page advertisement supporting the Civil Union Bill has appeared in a Sunday paper, signed by 1000 people including prominent sports stars, politicians and authors. 

The ad in the Sunday Star-Times is signed by former All Black Mark Ranby, London-based chef Peter Gordon, author Keri Hulme and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, among others. 

They have signed a statement in support of the Civil Union Bill, which would give those in gay and de-facto relationships the same legal rights as married couples. 

Michael Wallmannsberger from the Campaign for Civil Unions, which organised the ad, says the signatories also helped pay for the $16,000 ad.