This report presents findings from a telephone survey canvassing 1,000 adults on their attitudes towards the physical discipline of children. This nationwide survey is purported to be representative of New Zealand society's views on the discipline of children. The aim of the survey was to inform the Ministry of Justice on policy matters, including the review of s59 of the Crimes Act (1961). For the purposes of the survey, physical discipline is categorised into type of punishment, physical severity of punishment, and acceptability of punishment for different age groups of children. Demographic variables are further analysed, and comparisons are made between women and men, and different age and ethnic groups' attitudes towards the physical discipline of children. Socio-economic factors are also investigated, and some variance in beliefs were found across different occupational groups. Comparisons between the parenting status of respondents, including previous, current and never parented, reveals differences in opinions on the physical discipline of children. Eighty percent of survey participants believed it was acceptable to smack children using an open hand. However, across society in general, it was found leaving marks on a child to be unfavourable.