Palmerston North's youngest mayoral contender, Abi Symes, doesn't know much about the city council, and what she does know, she doesn't like much.

Aged just 20, Symes is a musician and a radio host at Massey University's student radio station Radio Control, and would be the youngest mayor ever in New Zealand if she was elected.

"I have no experience, but I don't think that's a bad thing."

Symes said entering council affairs with fresh ideas and views would be a bonus. "I think normal people don't know what's going on in council, and you have to go out of your way to find information.

"People need a voice, and I feel it's hard to approach council at the moment. As a young person, it's intimidating."

Symes said she was disappointed with the outcome of the general election - "nothing changed" - and she believed that there was greater potential for people to make things better for their communities at local government level.

She was particularly keen to see more young people voting, and hoped her campaign would help achieve that.

But the timing of the election, when many students were away from the city and not yet making their way back for the new academic year, made it harder than ever to ensure young people had a say.

She said she was seriously backing herself to have a chance of success, because the city needed more young people involved, rather than leaving city leadership to "middle-aged white men".

Palmerston North born and raised, Symes said she wanted to be an ambassador for the city and let the world know it is a great place to live.

Symes is not making any promises about delivering particular outcomes. To do so would be "ridiculous" given the mayor has just one vote.

"But I can start a conversation."

Some of those conversations are starting on a couch in The Square, where she has been parking up to invite people to let her know what they want.

Symes said she would play solo as mayor, with no partner to share civic duties.

"I'm single. It doesn't matter whether you have a babe on your arm or not."

Symes was nominated by Radio Control station manager Dave Stevens and designer Tammie Compton.

She is not and has never been a member of a political party and thought parliamentary politics was ridiculous.