A Swedish family lawyer says the introduction of no-smacking legislation in his country has resulted in the destruction of families.
A members bill put forward by Green MP Sue Bradford seeks to repeal Section 59 of the Crimes Act, which will remove the defence of reasonable force.
The move has prompted wide debate in New Zealand, with community groups divided over the smacking ban.
Lawyer Ruby Harrold-Claesson, who defends parents who are prosecuted under the Swedish law, says the legislation has resulted in parents being afraid of their children.
She says some children are taken away from their parents after prosecutions for smacking and what was supposed to be a moral guide for Swedish parents is being enforced through the criminal code.
Harrold-Claesson will visit New Zealand next month to address the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, on behalf of Coalition 59, a group formed to oppose the anti-smacking bill.
Bradford says her law will not seek to criminalise smacking.
The select committee hearing is expected to be finished by August, with the final bill due back before the House in November.
