Hilary Calvert yesterday announced she will stand in this year's local body elections for a seat on the Otago Regional Council.
The former Act New Zealand list MP and one-term city councillor said it was clear the regional council could do better.
Particular areas of focus would be pest control, making sure rivers and lakes were looked after and ensuring the council carried out its regulatory functions, Ms Calvert said.
"We are at a crossroads with some of these issues.
"I believe I could help refocus the Otago Regional Council on it's obligations and opportunities to lead Otago in looking after our environment, rather than the current fixation on the endless quest for new premises," Ms Calvert said.
Further south, long-standing Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks has confirmed his bid for a sixth term.
Mr Hicks said he was motivated to stand again to make sure the new generation of residents, including his grandchildren, were given the best possible future in the area.
"This is a fantastic district with lots of potential. I still think I've got something to offer in terms of pulling people together to achieve that potential."
Balancing the need to upgrade the district's water infrastructure while at the same time making sure it was done in an affordable way would be one of the main challenges for the next council and mayor, he said.
As well as focusing on normal council business, Mr Hicks said it was important the district continued to be as business-friendly as possible.
One-term Queenstown Lakes councillor Ross McRobie has also officially confirmed he would be standing in for a seat on the Waitaki District Council.
Cr McRobie announced earlier this year he would not be seeking re-election as he was moving to Otematata where his family have long had a holiday home.
Nominations close at noon on August 16.
Nominations received this week*
Dunedin City Council: Marie Laufiso (council), Mike Lord (council), Phillipa Bain (Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board), Martin Dillon (Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board), Brian Peat (Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board), Cheryl Neill (Otago Peninsula Community Board).
Otago Regional Council: Rob Woodhouse (Dunedin).
Southern District Health Board: No new nominations.
Queenstown Lakes District Council: No new nominations.
Waitaki District Council: Ross McRobie (Ahuriri Ward), Vicky Munro (Ahuriri Community Board), Peter Bond (Oamaru Licensing Trust).
Central Otago District Council: Tim Cadogan (mayor), Tamah Alley (Vincent ward), Malcolm Topliss (Vincent ward), Susan Evans (Maniototo Community Board), Sue Umbers (Maniototo Community Board), Leigh Overton (Central Otago Health Incorporated), Caroline Tamblyn (Central Otago Health Incorporated).
Southland District Council: Brian Dillon (Mararoa-Waimea ward), Ebel Kremer (Mararoa-Waimea ward), Bruce Ford (Stewart Island/Rakiura ward and community board) Sarah Greaney (Fiordland), Neil Linscott (Oraka Aparima), Geoff Jukes (Oreti).
Gore District Council Tracey Hicks (mayor), Doug Grant (Gore ward), Bret Highsted (Gore ward) Nicky Davis (council), Horace McAuley (Mataura Licensing Trust), Bryan Burgess (Mataura Licensing Trust), Jim McAllister (Mataura Licensing Trust).
Invercargill City Council Barry Stewart (council), Alan Dennis (Invercargill Licensing Trust), Mike Mika (Invercargill Licensing Trust).
Environment Southland David Stevens (Eastern Dome ward), LLoyd McCallum (Southern ward).
Clutha District Council Jo-anne Thomson (Clinton ward), Stewart Cowie (Clutha Valley ward), Cecil Crawford (West Otago Community Board), Antony Robertson (West Otago Community Board).
*As of 5.30pm yesterday.
