Wellington, Feb 9 (IANS): New Zealand on Thursday said it will erase historical records of gay sex convictions handed down before homosexuality was decriminalised in the country.

Announcing this, Justice Minister Amy Adams acknowledged the pain caused to those who were convicted, Efe news reported.

"Although we can never fully undo the impact on the lives of those affected, this new scheme will provide a pathway for their convictions to be expunged," Adams said.

"It means people will be treated as if they had never been convicted and removes the ongoing stigma and prejudice that can arise from convictions for homosexual offences," she added.

New Zealand decriminalised consensual sex between two people of the same sex aged 16 years and above in 1986 though the sentences for gay sex were retained in the criminal records of those convicted.

Around 1,000 people, who have criminal records for homosexuality, or the family members of those who died with the convictions, will be able to benefit from this move, although they will not receive any compensation from the government.

Last year, New Zealand ruled out mass pardons for those convicted of homosexuality before 1986 though it promised to consider individual cases.