Referendum papers all delivered

All voting papers for the smacking referendum have been delivered.

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.

Opponents forced a referendum, which asks: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"

The referendum opened on July 31 and closes on August 21.

Chief Electoral Officer Robert Penden said 570,300 people had cast votes as of Thursday.

"Every voter who was enrolled by 30 July should have received a referendum voting paper in the mail by today," Mr Peden said.

"If anyone hasn't got their referendum voting paper yet, or they've lost it or made a mistake on it they should contact us to be issued with a replacement voting paper."

- NZPA