As tempting as it may be, "You still can't slap them in the gob," say public officials, speaking on the condition of nymity... which we refused to provide.
In the past week, New Zealanders have turned out in record numbers, to vote for the right to punch their children in the face. 88% of voters said they wanted to have the choice of giving their children a good ol' smack, if they dared step out of line without having to worry about Johnny law coming to lock them up.
As the results came in from the non-binding referendum entitled "Should a punch in the face as part of excellent parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand or are you are you a lefty pinko with no kids?". Leading up to the referendum critics have said that the question is leading, however referendum organisers have said that the question is straight forward and if you can't figure it you must be a gay.
Critics have also questioned the point of this referendum as: (i) to date no single person has been prosecuted for smacking their child since the change in the bill, apart from the muppet who punched his kid in the face in front of a police officer obviously, and, (ii) it won't change anything as it's non binding, therefore, it's entire purpose seems to be to allow all those who enjoy a bit of biff to say I told you so and walk around looking annoyed for a fortnight. .
Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Key, has told everyone to calm down and stop being a bunch of slap-happy psychos and as so far no one has been prosecuted under the bill he would not be changing it.
Referendum organiser Sharon Sharonsin wanted to make sure that everyone understood that punches to children's faces, should only be dished out for the purposes of correction, she said: "We just want the right to smack, when a child goes to touch a hot element, jam a fork in a wall socket or dare to question my authority."
