Peters defends new role in government 

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says his past comments about Asian immigrants will not be a problem in his new role as Foreign Affairs Minister.

Peters has been made minister outside cabinet as part of the deal to support a Labour-led government.

He says being outside the Cabinet will not affect his credibility overseas because it is a matter of knowing people and he has extensive contacts in the South Pacific.

Under the agreement he is free to disagree with the Government on all but his portfolio areas. He says that New Zealand's immigration laws need revamping.

Peters says New Zealand media commentators do not understand that New Zealand's immigration policies are among the most liberal in the world.

He says he has travelled extensively in Asia and there is not one Asian leader of any political party or government who does not understand what he is saying.

An expert in European politics has rebutted a claim by Peters that there were precedents in Europe for the postition of foreign minister to be held by someone who was not part of the coalition government.

After accepting the role Peters said a European Foreign Minister held the position for 18 years from outside cabinet. But lecturer in European politics at Victoria University John Leslie says Peters was referring to the former German foreign minister, Hans Deitrich Genscher, who he says was always part of the coalition.

Leslie says the German style of MMP is very strong on collective responsibility and all cabinet ministers are a part of the coalition agreement.

But National party leader Don Brash says he does not believe Peters is up to the job as he is not comfortable dealing with senior foreign leaders.

National MP Pansy Wong says Peters will be watched closely by the Asian community in his new role as Foreign Minister.

Wong says many Asians would not have been able to keep a straight face when they heard he would be Foreign Minister.

But she says they will be looking forward to Peters repeating positive statements he has made in the past about Asian family and work values. But overall she is dismissive of the appointment.

A Close Up poll on Tuesday night asked: Do you have faith in Winston Peters as New Zealand's foreign minister? A total of 9871 people voted with 5201 saying they did have faith in him and 4670 saying they did not.