Watch the full Local Focus interview for Chater's views on using reserves for housing, climate change, public transport, infrastructure, and our less important quickfire questions.
Nick Chater currently sits on the Rotorua Lakes Community Board, but is turning his attention to Rotorua's general ward in the upcoming election.
The effects of climate change and equity are the issues he hopes to address if elected.
"Our water systems can't cope when there's a major event, so infrastructure needs to be really planned and looked at," he said.
"Equity is around how we engage with whānau. Stop putting them out there as these 'problem-people' and actually engage and create solutions."