[1] He first became involved in politics through membership of the New Zealand Young Nationals in the late 1960s,[1] and served as that organisation's president from 1972 to 1973.
He stood as the National candidate for the Sydenham electorate at the 1975 general election, but was defeated by the incumbent, John Kirk.
At the next local-body election in 1992 he did not stand for council, but instead ran for the mayoralty and was defeated by Philip Woollaston.
[1] Matheson was returned as a city councillor in 1995 and was elected mayor of Nelson in 1998,[1] this time defeating Woollaston.
[8] Matheson was the campaign manager for Nelson MP Nick Smith at the 2011 general election.