The Government is ramping up the number of emergency housing places ahead of winter, which it says will help up to 10,000 homeless Kiwis.

870 transitional housing places have been secured, and by June the aim is to have 1600 places available at any one time.

Social Housing Minister Amy Adams told Mike Hosking the need for accommodation is nationwide.

"No question Auckland is a hotspot, but actually we're seeing pressure in places like Tauranga, Rotorua, Blenheim, Gisborne - around the country. Not in as big a numbers, but around the country there's definitely need."

Adams said transitional housing is only one step to getting people back on track.

"The first step is to get them into some stable, medium-term housing, so that's 12 weeks.

"The next step is to get them into more secure, long-term social housing, and then the ultimate step is to get them out of social housing, back into the private market where they're relying on their own resources to help themselves."

LISTEN ABOVE AS SOCIAL HOUSING MINISTER AMY ADAMS SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING