At 20, she followed her family down south, first to Christchurch and later to Oamaru.
In 2001, Ms Amundsen moved to Invercargill the year the Southern Institute of Technology's zero fee scheme was launched.
The scheme was initiated to help jump start Invercargill's economy after heavy job losses, closing businesses and a declining population. It aimed to attract more young people to the city and still runs today.
Ms Amundsen studied a bachelor of arts in social anthropology from home while raising her eldest son and supporting her husband's new business.
She said she was so grateful to the community for making her feel so welcome that she wanted to give something back.
"I thought the council and the community should be working closer together. If you want to fix a problem, I thought becoming a part of the council was the best way.
"Unfortunately I didn't get in on my first attempt. On my second go, in 2013, I was the twelfth body to be elected and in 2014 I jumped to fourth," Ms Amundsen said.
Her advice to students contemplating a career in local body politics was to stay genuine and be true to what you believe in.
"At the end of the day that's what people look for. You have to be able to follow through with promises and get things done."
She said Invercargill seemed to be on a similar journey to Whanganui.
"When I left Whanganui the river didn't seem to be a positive feature but when I've been back I can see that has absolutely changed and people are proud of it and that seems to have a flow on effect.
"Both towns seem to be moving in a positive direction."