Taxi driver and city council candidate George Morrison predicts a lot of change at this year's local body elections.
"Taxi driving is fantastic for finding out what people think. It has proved an accurate way of predicting the results of local and general elections," Mr Morrison said.
And people are wanting change, he says.
"They are saying we can't keep wasting money. If we don't change we'll be in huge trouble in this town."
Mr Morrison agrees - strongly enough to be standing for council himself.
Four months before nominations open and just over half a year before the elections, he is the fourth non-councillor to publicly say he will be a candidate.
With two adult daughters and a partner of 13 years, Mr Morrison has not stood for public office before.
But in the past year he has become increasingly unhappy about how the city is being run, especially in terms of responsiveness to public opinion.
"You only have to look at the record of the council to see it hasn't been that flash.
"I'm standing for the ratepayer. None of this closed-door rubbish. If the ratepayer is paying, then they should have a say."
The flow-on effect of high spending on the economic well-being of Dunedin was a concern, he said.
"For example, if rates keep rising to pay for the stadium, then rents will keep going up to pay for it.
If we let things carry on as is, our student numbers will dwindle because the rents will be too high."
Mr Morrison had been waiting for the city's new ward boundaries to be decided before announcing his candidacy.
On Friday, the Local Government Commission confirmed the city council's decision to have 14 councillors and the mayor elected from three wards.
Eleven councillors will be elected from a new Central Ward (combining the current Cargill, Green Island-Saddle Hill, Hills and South Dunedin Wards), two from the Mosgiel-Taieri Ward and one from the Waikouaiti Coast-Chalmers Ward.
Mr Morrison applauded the decision and said he would stand in the new Central Ward.
"I think it's great. It gives everyone a chance to vote for those who they think can do the job."
He was yet to decide whether to stand as an independent or as part of a coalition.
"It would be great to stand with others with similar ideas. I presume there will be more new people putting their names forward."
He would continue to drive a taxi part-time if elected to council.
"I'd do it to stay in contact with public opinion. It's something the current council doesn't seem to have done."
