Jacinda Ardern discusses the New Zealand Government's approach to North Korea.

Nuclear testing in North Korea is not something the international community can afford to be complacent about, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

North Korea's nuclear capabilities and increases in nuclear testing made it a "genuine and real threat", she said on The Nation on Saturday.

Putting pressure on Pyongyang was a shared international responsibility, she added.

RIGHT PHOTO: HAGEN HOPKINS/GETTY Jacinda Ardern says every member of the international community needs to help to de-escalate the situation in North Korea.

"It's a genuine threat and every member of the international community needs to play a role in doing what we can to de-escalate the situation."

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North Korean foreign minister Ri Yong Ho said in September that North Korea was considering testing a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific.

When Newshub political editor Patrick Gower asked if Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters could reach out and liaise with North Korea, Ardern said such a position would not be unfamiliar to Peters.

"A direct request was made a few years ago now by the United States administration for support from Mr Peters in navigating a situation with North Korea," she said.

ANTHONY HUBBARD/STUFF Foreign Minister Winston Peters in North Korea in 2007.

"That speaks to the level of diplomacy and the level of relationship that I've seen Mr Peters has with members of the international community."

Although Peters' experience in North Korea was "an asset", Ardern said the prospect of entering him into direct negotiations with the country "hasn't risen as a potential possibility".

"Our view has always been: multilateral approach is best," she said.

The Government was prepared to use every tool available to secure a peaceful resolution bar military action, Ardern said.

She confirmed New Zealand would not engage in military action in North Korea unless it received backing from the United Nations Security Council.

"We are yet to exhaust all the channels that we have."