Maori demonstrators, supported by MPs from three parties, gathered outside Parliament today to campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum on whether smacking should remain a criminal offence.
The referendum will be held by postal ballot from tomorrow to August 21 and asks: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand."
The non-binding, citizens-initiated referendum was initiated by opponents of the law that bans smacking.
About 40 Kohanga Reo representatives, part of the Vote Yes Coalition, heard speeches from Maori Party, Labour and Green Party MPs.
They carried placards with photos of children which posed the question: If it's wrong to hit an adult, how can it be right to hit a child?
Speakers said the law was working well and should not be changed because it was about equal rights for children to be protected from violence, and Maori children were more likely to suffer abuse than those of any other group.
Labour MP Parekura Horomia told the crowd Maori MPs from three parties had found it easy to come together to support the call for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum.
"This is a simple mission -- let's make sure our kids are safe," he said.
Maori Party MP Hone Harawira delivered the same message. "Politicians don't always get things right, but we did with this," he said.
- NZPA
Smacking campaigners find support
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