Wellington, June 28 NZPA - One woman has the power to halt the $9 million "anti-smacking" referendum.

Wellington, June 23 NZPA - The case of a man who repeatedly pushed his seven-year-old son over for refusing to play rugby has become a political football in the anti-smacking referendum debate.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, June 23 NZPA - Comments in a magazine article show Christine Rankin is campaigning against the so-called anti-smacking law and she should not remain a Families Commissioner, United Future leader Peter Dunne says.

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - Families Commissioner Christine Rankin has used a magazine article to highlight her opposition to a 2007 law which removed the defence of reasonable force in child abuse cases.

By Alastair Bull of NZPA Auckland, June 22 NZPA - Opponents of the so-called "anti-smacking" law say the Government would ignore a non-binding referendum on the legislation at its peril.

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - Controversial Families Commissioner Christine Rankin has assured Social Development Minister Paula Bennett she will not appear at tomorrow's launch of the "vote no" campaign for the smacking referendum.

NZPA political reporters Wellington, June 18 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key has been dragged into the centre of the resurgent smacking debate.

Wellington, June 15 NZPA - The orange man who reminded everyone to vote in the general election is back -- this time he wants to make sure you are enrolled to vote in the referendum on smacking.

Wellington, May 31 NZPA - Lobby group Family First has placed ads in Sunday newspapers calling for the reinstatement of reasonable force as a defence in child abuse cases. The group says the law change isn't working and Prime Minister John Key should change it.

Wellington, May 12 NZPA - Christine Rankin is the wrong person to be appointed to the Families Commission, as she is divisive, has a troubled record and is unrepresentative, Labour leader Phil Goff said today.