Australians back Clark over Rudd for UN: poll

A new poll shows 45 per cent of Australians back New Zealand's Helen Clark to lead the UN, with only 21 per cent supporting Kevin Rudd for the role.

A file picture dated 16 September 2015 shows former New Zealand's Prime Minister, Helen Clark looking on as she speaks during an interview inBerlin, Germany. Source: AAP

Twice as many Australians support New Zealand's Helen Clark to lead the United Nations than Kevin Rudd, a new poll shows.

The Essential poll also shows that even Labor voters prefer the former New Zealand prime minister over the former Australian prime minister, Fairfax Media reported on Thursday.

Ms Clark has officially put herself forward for the role of UN secretary-general but Mr Rudd has not yet done so, despite months of speculation he would.

The Essential poll found 45 per cent of 1020 people surveyed thought Ms Clark would be a better leader for the UN, with just 21 per cent opting for Mr Rudd.

Among Labor voters, 36 per cent preferred Ms Clark, compared with 34 per cent who backed Mr Rudd, while just 17 per cent of Coalition voters would support him.

Mr Rudd said recently he believed an Eastern European candidate was the most likely to be chosen to replace Ban Ki-moon as UN head.

"Last I looked my name is not Ruddovich," he said.