Jack McDonald wants a seat in Parliament after his third campaign and this year's election.
"I think it's time," he said.
He'll be campaigning primarily for people to give their party votes to the Greens. He hopes to get into Parliament by being high on the party list - he was at 20 last election and is confident that will improve.
"But if they do see me as the best representative for Te Tai Hauauru, then I would be honoured to be elected there as well," he said.
Mr McDonald grew up in Paekakariki. He first stood for the Green Party in 2011, aged 18. If he gets in this year he will be 24, and the youngest Green MP.
Te Tai Hauauru is fundamental to his identity, he said. Some of his tribal affiliations are with Taranaki iwi and his whakapapa and turangawaewae are there. He also has a connection with Whanganui, through his great grandfather poet James K Baxter.
He's proud to have tripled the Greens' party vote in Te Tai Hauauru since 2011. Last election he came third in the electorate, after Labour's Adrian Rurawhe and the Maori Party's Chris McKenzie.
He's chaired the Paekakariki Community Board and currently works for the Green Party as its Maori political and media advisor - spending the working week in Wellington.
He says Labour and the Greens have an inspiring vision for New Zealand - ending homelessness and child poverty and restoring the natural environment.
They would increase home ownership through a rent-to-buy scheme, and build thousands more state houses.
Mr McDonald's focus in Parliament would be on giving young people the means for economic security.
"There are 70,000 young people who are not in work or training. That's a wasted opportunity for them and for our society and economy," he said.