A survey indicates most New Zealanders do not support the spending of millions of dollars on a referendum on smacking.
The Research New Zealand poll found 77% of those surveyed were against using taxpayers money for the referendum, 18% felt it was good use of tax funds, and the remaining 5% were unsure.
The referendum to be held in August, at a cost of $8.9 million asks "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"
More men support the referendum than women, with 22% of men surveyed saying the referendum was a good use of taxpayer money compared to 14% of women.
Research New Zealand director Emanuel Kalafatelis says at a time when New Zealanders are being urged to tighten their belts, the cost of the referendum has not gone down well.
The telephone survey, conducted between 17 June and 19 June, polled 481 people aged 18 and over, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.8 percentage points.
