The Green MP who wanted smacking made illegal now says a light tap is okay.
Sue Bradford has conceded some clarification is needed on her anti-smacking bill to win support for it from her fellow MPs.
The bill aims to repeal a section of the Crimes Act, which allows a defence of "reasonable force" for parents who beat their children.
But Bradford says it was never her intention to criminalise parents who lightly smack their children.
"I'm well aware that we may have to allay these fears to win over some MPs who are under extreme pressure from people in their constituencies, who have been made so frightened by some of the myths about my bill that have been spread around," says Bradford.
Public submissions on the bill will start being heard later this week.
