The two-term Dunedin City councillor has joined incumbent Jules Radich, car dealer and Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board chairman Andrew Simms and fellow councillors Mandy Mayhem and Lee Vandervis in the race ahead of local body elections in October.

Cr Barker said she had spent six years as "an apprentice" learning about the council.

"Now I think I’m ready to step up and help ... lead the changes that I think need to be made in the city."

She had been widely tipped to join the race and said people were asking her daily if she was running.

"It’s taken quite a long time to arrive at the decision because you have to make it knowing the full responsibilities that the role entails and be prepared to step up."

A key reason for her candidacy was Dunedin’s need for strong leadership and clear vision, she said.

"That’s the main thing that people have been saying to me.

"I think that’s what the city lacks at the moment."

If elected, she would focus on building partnerships, making the council fit for purpose and boosting Dunedin’s livability.

"I think we’ve been non-ambitious for the past number of years, and we’ve kind of lost our status as a main centre."

She got on well with the other councillors and felt many were aligned with her goals, Cr Barker said.

"I can’t speak on their behalf ... but I feel confident that there are a lot of like-minded councillors who are looking for council transformation," she said.

She had waited until after the council’s long-term plan deliberations were complete before announcing her candidacy, she said.

"That’s been really challenging ... people electioneering while we’ve actually got to focus on what’s in front of us. "

Cr Barker was also standing for city council, which she was first elected to in 2019.

She placed third of 11 candidates in the 2022 mayoral election.

The election will be held on October 11.

ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz