He is also hinting at an increase in baseline funding for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In a speech to the LOWY Institute in Sydney this week, Mr Peters said New Zealand was a Pacific country, linked by history, culture, politics, and demographics.
"In many respects the Pacific is where New Zealand matters more, wields more influence, and can have more positive impact.
"We also see a region challenged by a dizzying array of social and environmental problems and one attracting an increasing number of external actors and interests."