They've lived on different continents for seven years but Peter Davis says he's ready to move to New York if his wife, Helen Clark, gets the UN's top job.

The couple has lived apart for the tenure of her role as head of the UNDP, with Dr Davis opting to stay in New Zealand where he's a sociology professor at Auckland University.

However if she gets the secretary-general's job she'll be New York-based for another five years at least.

Dr Davis said frankly it's getting to the stage where they should be spending a bit more time together.

Helen Clark often returns to New Zealand, partly to visit her elderly father.