THE FAMILY PARTY
www.familyparty.org.nz
PRESS STATEMENT FOR RELEASE
Maori leaders must respect voice of parents and fix law
http://www.thefamilyparty.org.nz/2_smacking_debate.php
26 May 08. The Family Party is calling on Maori leaders to respect the overwhelming voice of New Zealanders who want the
ill-conceived anti-smacking law fixed.
Research commissioned by Family First has revealed strong public opposition to the anti-smacking law, which has
increased from 62% last year to 73% now. 85% said that the new law should be changed to state explicitly that parents
who give their children a smack that is reasonable and for the purpose of correction are not breaking the law (up from
82% last year). More than half of mothers with children under 12 admit to flouting the law.
Last week Richard Lewis challenged a statement by Dr Hone Kaa calling on Maori leaders to support the repeal of Section
59.
“Dr Kaa and anybody who continues to support the ill-conceived anti-smacking law clearly remains out of step with the
vast majority of New Zealand parents who want this law fixed. They also seem to be the only ones who haven’t grasped the
difference between responsible corrective discipline and abuse. We are all very concerned about child abuse. But to
continue to describe a reasonable smack for the purposes of correction as ‘violence towards children’ is either
deliberately misleading or plain stupid,” said Mr Lewis.
Mr Lewis said the research was also consistent with the views of Pacific and Maori parents in South Auckland.
"We've been doing a lot of work on the ground in Mangere and the wider South Auckland community over the last six
months. The vast majority of parents are very concerned at the anti-smacking law and continue to use a reasonable smack
for corrective discipline. They want the law fixed," he added.
The Family Party wants Section 59 of the Crimes Act reinstated to afford decent loving parents protection from criminal
liability.
KEY FINDINGS
• 73% oppose the anti-smacking law (47% ‘strongly disagree’)
• 85% say the law should be changed
• 37% say they are more likely to vote for party that promises change to the law
• More than half of mothers with children under 12 admit to flouting the law
Read Full Report - [link]
ENDS