Tourism operator Rory Smith is back for another bid to get onto the Whanganui District Council.
"I lose count of the number of times but who's counting. At the very least the voters will give me 10 out of 10 for trying," Mr Smith said.
He said he motivated by the fact he saw work still to be done.
"I've been around the traps for a long time and I know the job is usually one step forward and two back at times. But the whole nature of the regions now is about collaboration or else we die."
That looms as a major election plank for him this year.