An Auckland school is making no apologies for a pamphlet in its latest school newsletter, telling parents how to correctly smack their children.

Carey College says the pamphlet was written to encourage discussion about smacking.

Principal Michael Drake says it aims to help people understand smacking is completely different from abuse.

He says the school wants to encourage a proper evaluation of the anti-smacking bill currently before Parliament.

He says the bill does not have the support of ordinary New Zealand parents, who practice smacking and do so in a loving and safe way.

However, the advice has raised the hackles of those seeking to outlaw the practice.

Green MP Sue Bradford, who is behind the anti-smacking bill in Parliament, has described the pamphlet as outrageous and slightly perverse.

Michael Drake says the school has always supported parents' rights to smack and he is amazed a politician, in a democracy, is criticising the school simply because it disagrees with her.

He says what is needed is open debate on the topic, without emotive name-calling.