Mr Peat served three terms on the regional council, including time as deputy chairman, and stood down in 2007 to take up the Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers' Fellowship.
He has since written five books and is chairman of the Otago Natural History Trust which oversees Orokonui Ecosanctuary.
Mr Peat had decided to stand for the city council rather than the regional council, as he felt three terms on the regional council was sufficient time.
Also, the city council had to face up to several challenges while dealing with mounting debt and he felt his local government and resource consent hearing experience meant he could contribute.
During his time on the regional council he was involved in various issues including transport, waste management, air quality and resource consent hearings, he said.
