A third nominee is seeking to become the National Party candidate to contest the Whanganui electorate in September's general election.
Derek McInnes, 46, is a relationship manager with the Whanganui branch of the Aotearoa Credit Union and describes himself as a "people person" and, jokingly, as having the "biggest coffee budget".
"I need to be with people and help them aspire to be what they choose to be."
Two other nominees have declared publicly their intention to seek the National Party nomination: district councillor Hadleigh Reid and Whanganui lawyer Harete Hipango.
Sitting MP and National Party stalwart Chester Borrows is not seeking re-election, meaning the electorate will have a new MP come September 23.
Mr McInnes returned to Whanganui two years ago after living in Taranaki for a decade. Before that he was manager of Whanganui's former DEKA store.
He is married to wife Kathy and they have four children aged 9-22 with the two oldest at university in Wellington.
"When people talk about major achievements they usually refer to a job, work or even sport. My greatest success is my family."
Mr McInnes fell ill with depression following the tragic loss of a child and a building company he ran was liquidated. "Some people got hurt by that, but I have always taken responsibility and ownership."
He is an active member of the Equippers Church and is involved with the youth ministry Christians Against Poverty.
He sees job creation and attracting manufacturing to the electorate as one of his main platforms, saying innovation and thinking "outside the square" were important qualities to attracting more people into the region.
"Whanganui and South Taranaki are fabulous places to bring up a family and offer a work-life balance - and we must leverage that."
He has worked alongside the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and was involved in the organisation of the regional business awards.
National Party nominations close on March 1 and the successful candidate will be chosen on March 26.