Howard Miller Scott, of Dunedin, was nominated by Warwick and Maureen Jenkins from Arrowtown.
Dr Scott told the Otago Daily Times he had never been involved in local body politics.
''I just thought that, well, I've worked in 35 countries around the world so there's some experience there that probably can be useful for the Wakatipu area.
He said he had ''been in love'' with the Arrowtown area since he was a child and had views on what was good for a community.
''I like businesses to be profitable, communities to be peaceful and safe, and I want people to have eventful, fulfilling, fun lives.''
His background was ''in trading'', working in France for seven years and in China for 15.
He had also been a photographer, an investment banker in Europe, worked ''in Treasury's think-tank reporting to the [Prime Minister]'' and had been involved in ''breaking open new markets in China very early on''.
After living overseas for more than 30 years he, wife Tiger and two young children now live in Dunedin, where he is a full-time caregiver for his elderly parents.
If elected Dr Scott, who declined to give his age, said he would represent Arrowtown while still being based largely in Dunedin.
''I don't think it's a major issue - Queenstown is not that far away. I've had a period of my life where we were flying out of Heathrow [Airport] and working in three countries in one day.''
Dr Scott said he was ''young enough to look after my young children very well'', but ''old enough that some people when I'm out on the street say 'Oh, those kids are with their grandfather'.''
Nominations for the Arrowtown ward by-election close at noon on Friday, March 6.
