Declines in support for and use of corporal punishment of children in Aotearoa New Zealand over time: what a difference a law change makes

According to the Global Initiative to End Corporal Punishment (endcorporalpunishment.org), there are now 70 states worldwide with a full prohibition of corporal punishment of children. In 2007, Aotearoa New Zealand became the 19th state by repealing the existing section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961, making all use of force for the punishment of children illegal. A previous review of literature published up to 2013 found that support for the use of corporal punishment by parents declined following that legislative reform. In this study, we update the literature review and confirm an ongoing reduction in the acceptability of corporal punishment, with only 22% of parents agreeing that physical punishment of a child is acceptable in certain circumstances in 2024/2025 compared with almost 90% in the 1980s–1990 s. In addition, reported use of corporal punishment by parents significantly decreased, as did the witnessing and experience of physical harm in the home by young people. The law change, in conjunction with widespread public discussion before and after the change, has led to demonstrable and significant shifts in attitudes and behaviour towards corporal punishment.