As New Zealand prepares to hold a referendum on smacking, KATE CHAPMAN of NZPA looks at how other citizen-initiated votes fared.

Wellington, June 17 NZPA - With citizen-initiated referenda non-binding on the Government, their ability to promote change has been mixed since the law allowed in 1993.

While government referenda can be binding or non-binding, citizen-initiated ones -- where 10 percent of enrolled electors sign a petition calling for a referendum -- are easier for a Government to ignore.

A case in point was the referendum calling for a reduction in the number of MPs to 99 -- even though nine out of 10 New Zealanders thought that a good idea, 10 years on there are 122 MPs.

Citizen-initiated referenda since 1993:

QUESTION: Should the size of the House of Representatives be reduced from 120 members to 99 members?" November 27, 1999 (general election day).

RESPONSE: 81.5 percent yes, 18.5 percent no. More than 84 percent of eligible voters had their say.

RESULT: No change. A bill was introduced to reduce the number of MPs but was voted out at its second reading.

QUESTION: "Should there be a reform of our justice system placing greater emphasis on the needs of victims, providing restitution and compensation for them and imposing minimum sentences and hard labour for all serious violent offences?" Also asked at the 1999 election DAY.

RESPONSE: 91.8 percent yes, 8.2 percent no. Turnout was high at 84.8 percent.

RESULT: Legislation changed for tougher sentencing and parole.

QUESTION: "Should the number of professional firefighters employed full time in the New Zealand Fire Service be reduced below the number employed on January 1 1995?" The referendum required people to make a special trip to vote in person and turnout was only 27 percent in response.

RESPONSE: 87.8 percent said no, 12.2 percent yes.

RESULT: Numbers of firefighters remained low, but there were not further significant cuts.