John Key

Wellington, June 30 NZPA - The Government is focused on trying to get New Zealand through a recession rather than changing the smacking law, which it believes is working, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock wrote to Mr Key offering to call off the $9 million "anti-smacking" referendum, which asks "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?".

A Research New Zealand survey of 481 people released at the weekend found 77 percent of respondents thought the referendum was a waste of money, 18 percent supported it and 5 percent were unsure.

Referendum instigator Sheryl Savill has the power to call it off and Mr Baldock yesterday said she would if the 2007 law change, which removed the reasonable force defence in child abuse cases, was changed.

But Mr Key today said the Government's position was clear -- the law was working and, if it didn't, it would be changed.

"... people shouldn't be under any illusion -- if we were to change the law, there would be quite a fierce campaign which would arguably derail the public and the Parliament for the next 18 months," he said.

"We're in the middle of a recession. It's a significant recession. We're focused on trying to develop and deliver jobs for New Zealanders and to deliver economic change.

"I think that's got to be our focus of attention at the moment."

As well, it was not necessarily a "slam dunk" that a law change would pass.

"I don't know how other parties would vote but if it wasn't whipped, for instance, I can't be sure that all National members would vote for a law change," Mr Key said.

ACT might support it but the Greens, the Maori Party, Labour and United Future were unlikely to.

The non-binding, citizens-initiated referendum will be held by postal ballot from July 31 to August 21.