New Zealand effectively outlawed smacking children on Wednesday...
"It is about our children and what I believe is their God-given right to
grow up secure in the love of their family, valued as equal citizens to the
rest of us and without the constant threat of legalised violence being used
against them," the law's sponsor, Sue Bradford of the Green Party, said in
parliament.

The law change, first proposed in 2005, had been strongly opposed by
conservative family and church groups, who said it would make criminals of
parents.

Opponents held public marches and rallies outside parliament.

Mainstream church groups and child welfare organisations had strongly
supported the change.

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