No Smacking, Say Kids

July 29, 2009

Niam and Ruairi Welan-Turnbull and Conor and Beau O'Connell were delivering Yes Vote leaflets with KCDC councillor Lyndy McIntyre

It’s not okay to smack dogs, adults or even old people,” said Niahm, “So it shouldn’t be okay to hit kids.”

That was the message Niamh and the Mana Greens were in the midst of delivering to 5000 letterboxes in the Mana electorate.

Ms McIntyre said the group, which had about 100 members, decided they needed to get out and campaign on the approaching postal referendum: “Because there is alot of misinformation about it out there.”

The leaflet outlined why the current law should be upheld. Between July 31 and August 21, all eligible voters would be asked to answer the question: ‘Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?’

Ms McIntyre said although the question was worded badly, people should not get bogged down with that and should vote yes.

Niamh’s brother Ruairi said he felt worried when he heard adults talkking about smacking kids. “I wish I could vote,” he said.

Republished with permission from The Kapiti Observer