The Children's Minister says there needs to be more intensive intervention to keep children out of state care.

Tracey Martin wants to put more effort into intervention in homes to sort out problems and prevent children having to go into care.

She told Mike Hosking there are already programmes where it happens in New Zealand - but there need to be more.

Martin says there are many cases where intervention would be effective.

"We can move in there, we can support with really intensive intervention there on a daily and weekly basis and bring that family back together again, and at the same time keeping those children safe."

LISTEN ABOVE AS TRACY MARTIN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING