Helen Clark bats away job speculation

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark continued to bat away speculation she would be lining up to become the United Nation's next Secretary General.

This morning she evaded questions on the issue telling Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Show there were a "lot of things to consider".

However, she hoped whoever was chosen to lead the international organisation would be there on merit.

The term of the incumbent Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon expires at the end of this year.
Prime Minister John Key has said he would nominate Ms Clark and campaign vigorously if she put up her hand.

READ MORE: Barry Soper: It's the bigger job Helen Clark is clearly after

So far there are seven candidates - six from eastern Europe - who have indicated they will be in the running.

Ms Clark, who is head of the United Nations Development Programme, holds the third most powerful position in the global organisation.

She said selecting the Secretary General was a lengthy process with hearings getting underway in a fortnight's time.

"It's all geopolitics in the end but let's hope the geopolitics is going to be informed by who is the best person for the job; what are the challenges now, what are the leadership and other skills required.

"I think that must be the central issue," she said.

It was quite a long choreography leading up to the end of the year by which time someone should be well known and able to take the reins, she said.