Lakes-Murchison Candidates On Vulnerable Residents

Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 1:39 pm
Article: Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

For the first time in 18 years, someone other than Stuart Bryant will represent Tasman’s Lakes-Murchison Ward after the deputy mayor announced he won’t be running again for election. 

Three candidates are vying for his vacant seat to represent the vast ward: community connector Nicola Allan, Mount Everest expeditioner John Gully, and aeronautical engineer Richard Osmaston. 

Osmaston is the leader of the Money Free Party and is also contesting the mayoralty, in Tasman and four other districts. 

If he wins both the mayoralty and the ward, Osmaston will become mayor, while the ward councillor position will go to the second-polling candidate. 

Local Democracy Reporting asked the candidates about their priorities for the Lakes-Murchison area, their views on this year’s average rates increase of 8.9 per cent, and how they will vote in the referendum on Māori Wards, as well as for an interesting piece of information about themselves. 

The candidates had strict word limits and deadlines and were told their answers would be cut off if they exceeded the word limit and not published if they missed the deadline. 

Gully did not respond to the questions. 

Question: What is your top priority for the ward in which you are standing for election? 

Nicola Allan: My top priority is effective river management – balancing protection of ecosystems, homes, people and businesses with practical solutions that draw on local knowledge and experience combined with educated reasoning to benefit our community. 

Richard Osmaston: Take care of the many very vulnerable people. We’ve regular work to do, but need to look at the longer term, sourcing real solutions and providing assurance that we’ve sustainable, resilient plans for the future. 

Question: What is your opinion on this year’s average rates increase (8.9%)? Do you feel it’s justified and, if so, why? Or do you feel it’s too high and, if so, what specifically should the council reduce spending on? 

Nicola Allan: Any rate rise for low-income earners, pensioners, or single-income families is going to hit hard. We can't keep stomaching the increases. We need to review all council spending carefully and tighten our belts. 

Richard Osmaston: We’re chasing the impossible. Short-term, we’ll simply have to ‘suck it up’, but sooner or later, we have an obligation to look beyond our current limitations. There may be alternatives, if we dare to look. 

Question: Will you vote to retain or disestablish the district’s Māori ward in the referendum, and why?

Nicola Allan: My intention is to uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. I vote retain. 

Richard Osmaston: Retain. I am for equity over equality. 

Question: What is something interesting about you that most people won’t be aware of? 

Nicola Allan: I love hunting! For time out, fitness, and fresh organic meat for my family. 

Richard Osmaston: I have no sense of smell, following an accident. It does have some advantages.

-Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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