Visits had been cancelled almost as she was due to board an aircraft when the country she was heading for was suddenly embroiled in conflict.
Since she took up her job in April 2009, her home had been mid-New York, a city she loves.
She lives in an apartment "only a three-minute walk into the [UN] secretary-general's office".
The cultural - "amazing museums and galleries" - and historic attractions of the city fitted in with her interests, although she admitted she did not have as much time as she would like to enjoy them.
Despite her hectic schedule, Helen Clark continued to make time to keep fit at a gym in her apartment building.
The area where she lived was heavily policed 24 hours a day, so she had no qualms about walking home late at night after work.
"The New York Police Department pays our area an enormous amount of attention."
Her enthusiasm for her work had not been diminished by the pressure of the hectic lifestyle.
Her passion for the environment and democracy through to health and improving the role of girls and women in developing countries has been rekindled through her work.
Her job was a leadership role, dealing with countries and territories at the highest level where her reputation as a former Prime Minister was welcomed by countries seeking advice.
She would not be drawn on whether she would serve another four-year term: "How long is a piece of string? I enjoy it, and time will tell."
The job has proved to be what she expected.
Helen Clark, who was in New Zealand on a private holiday to see family, visited Oamaru to assist Project Hearts and Hands for Haiti fund-raising.
- Otago Daily Times
