An international lawyer says New Zealand could act as a peace broker to a region at the other end of the world.

The US, China, and Russia are butting heads in the Arctic, vying for a piece of the resource-rich area.

China - has no territory in the Arctic circle - but has a seat on the Arctic Council as an observer.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys Law Head of International, Nicolas Groffman, told Kerre McIvor New Zealand has Arctic expertise  - and could have the same role.

He says that goes back to leading convoys through the circle in the second world war.

Groffman says that means New Zealand could make a claim for an observer seat on the Arctic Council.