The government is not going to change child discipline laws and Prime Minister John Key is reassuring parents they will not be prosecuted for a light smack.
A review report by Police Commissioner Howard Broad, Social Development Ministry chief executive Peter Hughes and clinical psychologist Nigel Latta was released on Monday, saying they had found no evidence police or welfare staff were reacting inappropriately.
The law as it stands bans smacking for the purposes of correction, but police have the discretion not to prosecute for inconsequential smacks.
Latta reviewed several individual cases highlighted in the media by opponents of the law.
He says he was personally reassured the law change makes no difference to the way the police and social workers do their job.
Key says the law is working the way Parliament intended, and again says he will change it if parents are prosecuted for lightly smacking their children.
He was asked at a press conference whether he was saying it is acceptable to lightly smack a child.
"Yes, I think so," he replied.
"It's up to individual parents to decide how they're going to parent their children. My view is that it will depend on the circumstances and how you want to raise your child."
The review report contained several recommendations, including establishing a helpline for parents who are approached by authorities about smacking their children.
Key says the recommendations will be implemented.
