The by-election has been triggered by the death of councillor Maggie Lawton earlier this month. Cr Lawton's daughter, Ella Lawton, announced last week she would also run for the seat.
In last October's election Mr Kelliher missed out on one of the three Dunstan seats by just five votes, being beaten by Michael Laws, of Cromwell.
Mr Kelliher had applied to a district court judge for a recount, but his application was denied.
Mr Kelliher, who has a farm in the Manuherikia Valley, near Alexandra, said yesterday the circumstances that had created the need for the by-election were tragic.
"I had much respect for Maggie Lawton in the short time that I knew her."
Since the by-election was announced, Mr Kelliher said he had been "overwhelmed" by the number of people in Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes district who had encouraged him to stand.
He said his previous term on council had shown him there was "much left to do, with the region entering a critical period of substantial change in the spaces of water quality, water quantity, air and pests. It is extremely important that the region has strong representation at the council table".
