Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says he's "confident" New Zealand will get a "better deal" out of the United States after discussing steel and aluminium tariffs at the APEC Summit in Papua New Guinea.

New Zealand was hit with tariffs earlier this year, while Australia was given an exemption.

Speaking with Mike Hosking, Peters said the US Vice-President, Mike Pence is well aware of our concerns.

"Definitely we are having a talk to Pence about our Tariff exemptions and personally I am confident we will get a better deal out of the United States."

He said New Zealand's relationship with Papua New Guinea was a strong focus.

New Zealand is working with Australia, Japan and the US to expand access to electricity in Papua New Guinea.

China has also invested heavily in the region, with plans to build a large hydro-electric plant.

Peters said we need to play our part in the region, alongside other like-minded nations.

"We've got a neighbourhood where the developing tensions and the strategic contests going on have to be a call for our far greater involvement [and] our far greater leadership."