Most Kiwis think it's okay to smack: poll

The majority of New Zealanders think it is okay to smack children, that the anti-smacking law is not working and they will vote "no" in the referendum, a poll shows.

About 83 per cent of people questioned believed it was okay to smack children under some circumstances, the One News-Colmar Brunton poll found.

Two per cent said it was okay under any circumstances and 14 per cent said it was not okay under any circumstances.

A 2007 change to the Crimes Act made it illegal for parents to use force against children for "correction", but also allowed police the discretion not to prosecute "inconsequential" cases.

Of those questioned, 63 per cent said the current law as it relates to smacking and child discipline was not working. Twenty-five per cent said it was and 12 per cent did not know.

The postal referendum now being held asks: Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?

The poll showed about 83 per cent of people would vote "no", 13 per cent "yes" and 5 per cent did not know or were not taking part in the referendum.

Most people (70 per cent) said they would vote, 24 per cent said they would not and 6 per cent were unsure.

Despite most people saying they would vote to change the law, 76 per cent of those asked did not believe the $9 million being spent on the referendum was a good use of taxpayers' money.

Politicians have previously said the law as it stands was working, the referendum was part of the democratic process and they would listen to the public.

Prime Minister John Key said that while the law technically said smacking was illegal, that was not how it was being administered.

Six-monthly police reviews showed it was working well.

"I've always argued that if the law doesn't work we will change it. If an overwhelming bulk of New Zealanders vote 'no', then what that should do, I think, is give Parliament the strength of courage to change the law if it starts not working."

The Prime Minister said the Government had other priorities.

Mr Key, Labour leader Phil Goff and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett have said they will not vote, instead taking the chance to listen to public opinion.

- NZPA