Peters has eye on North Korea

Winston Peters could be the West’s ‘‘sliver of hope’’ for improving relations with North Korea.

The new foreign minister spoke on Wednesday about the state of the West’s relationship with North Korea, saying he would bring experience to the role, ‘‘which is rather important on the international scene’’.

Peters has experience dealing specifically with North Korea. Last time he held the post of foreign minister, under a Helen Clark-led government, Peters travelled to North Korea.

In 2007, a number of people thought New Zealand could help dissuade the then-regime to give up its nuclear development programme, with substantial economic development as compensation, or as an incentive, Peters said.

His trip did not achieve this. However, he did manage to secure safe harbour for 97,000 birds that transit North Korea in their migration to New Zealand.

‘‘Maybe we can shoot higher this time and maybe we’ll be successful,’’ Peters said.

North Korea was not ‘‘an utterly hopeless case’’.

‘‘We need to better understand that region and make our contribution, albeit as a small country but an informed one.’’

The situation in North Korea has escalated under Kim Jong-un, with the dictator illegally testing missiles, and threatening to test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific.

Waikato University political science lecturer Reuben Steff said it was ‘‘probably unrealistic’’ to think Peters could make a difference to the situation in North

"We need to better understand that region and make our contribution, albeit as a small country but an informed one." Foreign Minister Winston Peters on North Korea

Korea.

‘‘But there’s the slightest sliver of hope.’’

There was the possibility Peters could again act as a ‘‘spokesman’’, or ‘‘neutral arbitrator’’ for the West.

Without a dramatic change in the state of relations between North Korea and the United States, it was unlikely a visit from Peters could change the current situation, Steff said. But that should not stop him from putting his hand up to again try to play a role in facilitating back-channel discussions.

Peters’ goodwill had to count for something, and New Zealand’s role as a more ‘‘independent’’ or ‘‘neutral’’ country, would help in this situation.

Generally, New Zealand tried to stay out of the growing tension between North Korea, China and the US, and when something was said it had to be measured, he said.

It was important Peters did not insert himself, or speak too loudly on this topic, but if he was invited to play a part in smoothing over relations, it couldn’t hurt to try.

Peters said Kiwis needed to better understand the region.

‘‘The movement to understanding that our neighbourhood was our No 1 priority has been going on for some time,’’ Peters said.

‘‘The second thing is we do need to be a good international neighbour.’’

A 2017 Asia New Zealand Foundation report found two-thirds of Kiwis said they knew little or nothing about Asia.

Foundation chief executive Simon Draper said success in the region was built on relationships, not just transactions.

Steff said he did not blame New Zealanders if they felt removed from the situation in Asia.

He also believed New Zealanders’ knowledge of the region had improved during the past year given the extensive news coverage of North Korean tensions.

Requests for further comment from Peters on his plans regarding North Korea were declined.