In October 2016, Barry contested the Labour Party nomination for the electorate of Hutt South for the 2017 election against Ginny Andersen and Sarah Packer after long-serving member of parliament Trevor Mallard signalled his intention to stand as a list-only candidate at the election.

[2] In June 2017, Barry raised a motion to abolish ratepayer-funded meals for city councillors at long meetings, as he believed elected members should pay for their own meals after the Council decided to introduce what he called "a sham Living Wage Policy".

[nb 1][7] In July 2020 his council secured funding from the government to rebuild the Naenae pool, fulfilling a campaign promise.

[8] In September of the same year the council passed a change to the city's rubbish collection system.

"[14] Following a complaint by the New Zealand branch of the Free Speech Union, he apologised for his comment.