The Government is set to make a significant announcement in an effort to tackle domestic violence.
Prime Minister John Key has indicated it could include a specific new offence or charge for family violence crimes.
"Our domestic violence rates are too high and they need to come down," he says.
"Women in New Zealand need better protection, and that includes better protection from the law."
Mr Key says police respond to 110,000 domestic violence callouts per year, and children are present at almost two-thirds of them.
"The rate of family violence in New Zealand is unacceptable."
Mr Key acknowledged that the announcements wouldn't change the numbers overnight, but hoped they'd change in time.
"I'm not convinced you'll see a massive reduction on day one. It's a challenging issue and I suspect... you actually won't see an immediate response in domestic violence rates, because what you've been seeing over recent times has been better reporting.
"That's a good thing because it's bringing the people to account and bringing the problem to the surface, but it makes those numbers look worse."
However he said Tuesday's announcement would give women better protection both in the "very short-term and over a medium period of time".
"We're making fundamentally 50 different changes to legislation. There will be a lot more resources and a lot greater power if you like in terms of getting on top of domestic violence."
Mr Key said he was pleased with the work Justice Minister Amy Adams had been doing in the area.
"I think the work that Amy Adams has been doing in this area is really thoughtful, she's very committed to tackling the issue."
The announcement will be made at midday.
"All this stuff's got to stop," says Mr Key.
Newshub.
