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The anti-smacking bill now looks almost certain to pass after a last minute assurance from the Maori Party.
If it comes into law the bill would repeal Section 59 of the Crimes Act which allows parents to use reasonable force on their children.
The support of the Maori Party - the power brokers in the debate - brings the number of those in favour to 63 votes against 58, which will be enough to pass the legislation when it comes before parliament on Wednesday.
There had been mounting speculation that the Maori party would switch its vote and support an amendment from National MP Chester Borrows which would allow light smacking.
Bradford says she was concerned that some MPs who initially favoured her bill appeared to be changing their minds but realises each party and MP has a right to vote whichever way they choose.
She says what she hopes above all, is that MPs will think about what is more important - defending the right of children to grow up free from violence or the right of parents to assault their children.
The Maori Party says it knows its support of the bill will not be universally accepted.
Polls on the smacking debate show around 80% of respondents are opposed to law changes, but co-leader Pita Sharples says while the decision may not reflect public opinion, hitting a child is unacceptable.
"Our support will not be popular with many people...but we are asking New Zealand to be brave, to look at the possibility of a culture where we don't hurt our children,"
Maori Party whip Te Ururoa Flavell says he has no concerns the anti-smacking bill will unfairly target Maori and Pacific Island communities. He says he has not heard of any such concerns in his electorate despite party co-leader Tariana Turia saying her people are worried.
Labour's Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says he firmly supports the bill. He says people his age got a lot of hidings from their parents because of a different culture and a different time.
Horomia says there are still those who say a kick up the bum or a thrashing did them no harm, however, he maintains times have changed.
Borrows lobbies
Borrows briefed the Maori Party caucus on his amendment on Tuesday. He says his amendment is all about allowing parents to discipline their children, without ending up with a criminal conviction.
It defines the most extreme force to be used on a child as transitory and trifling harm, which is basically reddening of the skin.
Chester borrows has now shifted his lobbying from the Maori party to vulnerable Labour MPs.
"There's plenty of people who are suppressing their own views on this because they're being whipped by the Labour Party and I'll target my debate strongly towards them," he says.
Bradford has not given up lobbying either. She released a legal opinion saying her bill is unlikely to criminalise parents who simply discipline their children with time out, and says she has the backing of major social agencies.
"We are seeing such significant levels of violence in our community that it's time we did something about it," says Barnardos Chief Executive Murray Edridge.
Debate on the bill continues on Wednesday, and if it does not succeed, Bradford says she will withdraw it altogether.
Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro says the debate gives parliamentarians a chance to do the right thing and support the bill.
Kiro says we will soon know whether we have moral leadership or politicians who only do what is popular. She says this is a chance to show that we really care for our children.
The prime minister has also reiterated her support for the bill.
Helen Clark says people are using section 59 of the Crimes Act to get away with beating their children.
She says parliament has to take ownership of the issue.
Clark says as prime minister she feels embarrassed about the low international ranking New Zealand has when it comes to the safety of our children.
