The Green Party says extra money it wants to put into families, would be used to take better care of parents and their babies.

It wants to give $220 a week to parents who don't get paid parental leave, baby pods for all newborns, 10 days paid sick leave and higher subsidies for out-of-work parents.

Co-leader Metiria Turei told Mike Hosking it would cost between $80 million to $100 million a year.

She said Government data shows there were benefits when parental tax credits were increased.

"For poorer families, the evidence is they spend that money on things they need for the baby and often better quality food for the breastfeeding mothers."

LISTEN ABOVE AS GREEN CO-LEADER METIRIA TUREI SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING