No-one sought election to the ward in the recent local body election, after former councillor Craig Dawson decided to stand down.
This week, Dr Slee (68), who lives at Otekaieke in the Waitaki Valley, said she had been approached to stand for the council earlier this year.
However, she was heading to Australia to do some research for books she was writing - she has written four books in the past 18 months - and felt it was not responsible to put her name forward when she had to go away.
On her return, she was both ''surprised and disappointed'' there was not anybody representing Ahuriri.
Citing its tourism and sporting facilities, which included a ''world-class'' gliding centre, along with the quality agricultural products produced there and the development of vineyards, Dr Slee said the district had an international profile, and it was important it had good representation.
She knew the people in the area and knew what their problems and issues were. The term she spent representing the Waitaki constituency on Ecan, between 2004 and 2007, had also been ''good training'', she said.
Nominations open next month and the by-election will also include the Ahuriri Community Board, where two further board members were required, and the Oamaru Licensing Trust ward 1, where a further representative was needed.
If there was another nomination in the Ahuriri ward, Dr Slee said she would give ''serious consideration'' to withdrawing her nomination, to save ratepayers the cost.
