A conflict expert says it's more vital than ever that New Zealand is ahead of the nuclear game.

Winston Peters has taken on the re-instated role as Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, which includes considering the spread of nuclear, chemical and conventional weapons.

Professor Kevin Clements, Director of the New Zealand National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, says we have to take the reality of the world's stance on nuclear weapons seriously, with Donald Trump often publicly musing on using nuclear weapons.

"The new nuclear posture of the United States has as one of its objects to develop new low yield, more tactical nuclear weapons that could be useable."

Clements told Mike Hoskings it's not as straightforward as old views of simple deterrence: the situation's serious.

"The bullet and atomic scientists have moved the Doomsday Clock from two and a half minutes to midnight to two minutes to midnight."

LISTEN TO KEVIN CLEMENTS TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE