1.3m smacking responses

More than 1.3 million New Zealanders have so far posted in their referendum ballot papers as the closing date for voting on smacking draws near.

The referendum was forced by opponents of a 2007 law change that made it illegal for parents to use force against children for correction, but also allowed police the discretion not to prosecute inconsequential cases. It asks: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"

The Chief Electoral Office's vote-processing centre had received 1,330,900 by last Thursday. Voting closes on Friday.

Chief Electoral Officer Robert Peden said people should post their voting papers by Thursday to ensure they were received in time.

Preliminary results should be available by 8.30 on Friday night, and the final results are due the following week.