[3] Miller entered politics in 1962, winning a seat on the Invercargill City Council as the highest polling non-incumbent candidate.

[2] He topped the poll at the next election and was subsequently appointed deputy mayor,[4] a position he held for two terms.

In 1980, Miller faced his toughest election, but ultimately defeated his deputy mayor and eventual successor Eve Poole.

[10] During his mayoralty, he established Invercargill's first sister city relationship with Hobart, Australia.

He retired in 1983, and at twelve years was the longest-serving mayor of Invercargill until Tim Shadbolt.