COMMENT: Glass of wine with Key is the symbolic recognition that several former political rivals now among loudest cheerleaders for top UN job.

As Helen Clark tosses her hat into the ring for the top UN job, Claire Trevett asks those who know her best what kind of world leader she will make.

Helen Clark is a front-runner to secure Secretary-General position.

MIKE HOSKING: Having Helen Clark at the top of the UN will give New Zealand more influence in the world.

Helen Clark is heading into uncharted territory, entering the first open contest to become the world's most important international diplomat.

From the day she landed on the third rung of the United Nations ladder, seven years ago next week, Helen Clark was intent on making it to the top, writes Barry Soper.

Helen Clark's bid for the top job at the UN gets unanimous support from NZ.

The announcement at long last that Helen Clark is a candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the UN is one all NZers can greet with pride.

Helen Clark's potential rival for the UN's top job, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, has tweeted best wishes to her.

In an interview with Forbes magazine last year, Helen Clark said the most powerful lesson she had learned was the power of persistence.

John Key says New Zealand would provide the former Prime Minister with resources to conduct a campaign to capture Secretary-General job.

Tenacity, competence and caution have been touchstones of Helen Clark's enduring political career.

"I do believe that New Zealand can show the way," says former Prime Minister.

New Zealand provides a model of religious tolerance for the rest of the world, former Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark today declined to say whether she plans to enter the contest as United Nations' Secretary General but hinted it could come later.

With the approach of summer in Europe, leaders of the European Union last week made what seems a good deal for genuine asylum seekers.

As the Syrian conflict approaches its fifth anniversary, not far across the border in Jordan an altogether more hopeful milestone is being celebrated.

Plummeting numbers of bees, butterflies and other insect populations are placing world food supplies under threat, a United Nations report has warned.

NZ is leading urgent talks at the UN on a desperate humanitarian crisis in the Syrian town of Madaya, where besieged residents are reported to be dying of starvation.

It will raise NZ's target profile amongst Islamists and could invite attack at home. But it is a necessary, justifiable and ultimately right thing to do, writes Paul Buchanan.

Speculation that Helen Clark will apply for the top job at the United Nations is ramping up.

Two international reports have slated New Zealand's climate change efforts as UN negotiations in Paris ramp up in their final week.

Many of the world's leaders are set to be at an upcoming United Nations climate forum in Paris, and it will not be cancelled despite the terror attacks.

Australia has been grilled over its human rights record this week, appearing in the hot seat before the UN Human Rights Council for a performance review.

New Zealand plans to table a resolution at the United Nations Security Council to end a new wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Insiders tell the story of Helen Clark's relentless drive to get the job done, whatever it might be.

Sometimes it takes someone a little removed from the fray to put the right perspective on the TPP issue.

The Prime Minister said New Zealand was doing "the best we can" across a range of areas but did not rule out doing more if it was necessary.