The National Party's new teenage candidate says his age won't be an issue when it comes to his campaign.

17-year-old William Wood's been picked to run against Labour's Iain Lees-Galloway in the Palmerston North electorate next election.

Wood told Mike Hosking in any healthy democracy, there needs to be representation of all ages.

"Understanding young people and their passions and drives is the important thing that our political scene is lacking at the moment."

He thinks he'll bring something different to the race.

Wood says Palmerston North needs local solutions to local problems.

"Iain Lees-Galloway, for all he is, I think he is not effectively working in the best interests of our community, whether that be lack of engagement or lack of effective policy development."