Media release

15 May 2008

Maori must maintain opposition to smacking

Maori must continue to maintain a commitment to non-violent parenting, Dr Hone Kaa said this morning as pressure to revisit the legislation around smacking continues.

“Maori children are twice as likely to be abused as other groups. We must stop using smacking as disciplinary technique. It sits on a continuum of family violence that has become epidemic within our whanau.”

Dr Kaa has called a cross-party meeting with Maori politicians next week to talk about strategies to reduce Maori Child Abuse. Maintaining the repeal of Section 59 is high on the agenda for the hui.

“The Children’s Commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro is one of the few Maori leaders who have shown a continual commitment to this issue. We must stand with the Commissioner and be unified.”

ENDS

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