PROFILE OF HELEN CLARK WHO IS RUNNING FOR THE TOP JOB AT THE UN
Born February 26, 1950 in Hamilton, NZ
BACKGROUND
* Educated Epsom Girls' Grammar School and Auckland University - obtained Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Arts with first-class honours
* Married to Auckland University professor Peter Davis
* Elected as Labour MP for Mt Albert in 1981
* Deputy Prime Minister (1989-1990)
* Leader of Opposition (1993-1998)
* Prime Minister (1999-2008) - fifth longest-serving PM
* Steps down as Labour leader in 2008 after election defeat and leaves parliament the following year
* Appointed administrator of the UN Development Programme in 2009 - first woman in role
* Regular feature in Forbes list of world's most powerful women - ranked 23rd in 2015
* April 2016 - seeks UN secretary-general role
HONOURS:
* Order of New Zealand
