poppelwell was a liberal in politics, and was invited to stand for parliament several times. he refused every time, but was elected to the gore borough council in 1893. in 1895 he was elected mayor of gore, as well as being elected for the borough council again from 1900 to 1903. he then served as mayor four more times from 1904 to 1931. after he had served as mayor, he was made a justice of the peace. poppelwell was largely responsible for many public works in the city, including setting aside 200 acres of the undisposed part of croydon bush for a public reserve. he was president also of the southland district law society, and in 1935 was awarded the king george v silver jubilee medal.