Smacking Law Leads to Miscarriage of Justice
Family First NZ is welcoming the acknowledgement by the Crown of a miscarriage of justice towards Christchurch parent
James Mason who was prosecuted by police for pulling the ear of his 3 year old when trying to prevent him from injuring
himself as his younger brother had just done.
“Family First always said that if the conviction was for an ear pull rather than the claimed punch in the face, it was
inappropriate. The acknowledgement by the Crown Solicitor in the Supreme Court today shows that the application of
discretion and the lumping together of substantially different actions was flawed,” says Bob McCoskrie, National
Director of Family First NZ.
“Parenting in New Zealand has been put on trial. The politicians have dealt a heavy legislative blow to parents, and
parents are feeling disempowered, disrespected, and demonised as child abusers.”
“As well as that, the police are caught in the middle trying to balance the zero tolerance approach to family violence
against the so-called discretion offered under the anti-smacking law.”
“It is not surprising that research by the Families Commission found that only a third of parents believe that the
government sees their role as important.”
Family First NZ is challenging Prime Minister John Key to amend the law that he has labeled a dog’s breakfast, and
introduce the amendment that he lobbied for before he became Prime Minister which decriminalizes light smacking for the
purpose of correction.
“NZ’ers have no confidence in this law and are confused by it,” says Mr McCoskrie. “Good parents taking their kids for a
bike ride and trying to keep them safe deserve the support of the state – not criminalisation.”
ENDS