[2] In 2009 Arbuckle applied to the Marlborough Farmers' Market to set up a stall selling asparagus, but questions were raised about whether he grew it himself, and his application was subsequently turned down.

[10] Arbuckle entered national politics when he was selected by the New Zealand First party to contest the Kaikōura electorate at the 2017 election where he finished third.

[13] Selected to run a third time in Kaikōura at the 2023 general election, he was ranked 6th on the 2023 party list.

[14] Arbuckle finished in third place in the Kaikōura electorate, with 4,347 votes, but entered Parliament as one of eight New Zealand First list MPs.

[20] The next day he changed his mind after being criticised for "double dipping" and said he would donate the council salary to charity.