Letters to the Editor: What have anti-smacking laws achieved? 13 May, 2021 08:00 PM 3 minutes to read Sparing the rod has spoiled the children, says one reader. Photo / Getty Images Rotorua Daily Post In 1990, New Zealand legislated the outlawing of corporal punishment in schools. Then in 2007, we saw the ushering in of the controversial anti-smacking laws, which even today, some 14 years later, provoke vigorous discussion. We were assured both times that these measures would reduce violence in society as we were tackling these issues at the very grassroots, protecting children from both the physical and mental trauma supposedly associated with smacking as a disciplinary measure.