He's spent three terms on the Wanganui rural community board; now David "Tex" Matthews wants a seat around the council table.
Mr Matthews is one of more than 30 candidates vying for 12 councillor seats on the Whanganui District Council. The elections will be held on October 8.
Mr Matthews said after three terms on the rural community board he wants to have more say.
"I understand how council works, but I don't have any voting rights on council decisions," he said.
Mr Matthews is also standing for the rural community board in the Whanganui subdivision, but his focus is the council.