Tasman council stalwarts standing down

Monday, 24 February 2025

“The time has come to pass the baton to someone new,” says Tasman deputy mayor Stuart Bryant.

While his fellow elected members weighed up another term in local government, 26-year veteran Stuart Bryant has made up his mind.

“The time has come to pass the baton to someone new,” the deputy mayor of the Tasman District Council said.

Motueka Ward councillor Barry Dowler, who had served for 17 years on council and seven on the Motueka Community Board, would also not run again, saying it was “time for something else”.

Currently, there were no firm contenders for Tasman’s next council term.

Mayor Tim King was undecided: with a few factors to consider, he would probably make a call in June, ahead of the July 1 deadline. However, if he does run, it would be for the last time, he said.

Councillors Chris Hill, Jo Ellis, Christeen Mackenzie, Ceilia Butler, Glen Daikee, Mike Kininmonth and Kit Maling were also still weighing up their options.

“The council has lots of challenges ahead,” says councillor Barry Dowler, who won’t be running for re-election.

Brent Maru, Trindi Walker, Dan Shallcrass and Mark Greening did not respond before the Nelson Mail’s deadline.

Bryant, who represented the Nelson Lakes/Murchison ward, was elected in 1999, in a by-election following the death of councillor Murray Borlase.

After that, he saw another eight elections, but only had to campaign twice, standing unopposed on six occasions.

He was proud that under his watch, Murchison gained a sports centre, and Rotoiti a new hall.

Bryant had noticed a change in the way people engaged with council over his years in local government. There were now fewer phone calls, more emails, and a wider array of voices.

“There are lots more varied views: people are more free to express their opinions.”

People had also become impatient about slow council processes, like resource consents, which hadn’t kept pace with technology.

“People expect a response faster, they struggle to understand how it can take so long.”

But ultimately, the job came down to advocacy and representation, Bryant said.

He planned to spend more time with his grandchildren, and catch up on some farm work. He was prepared to offer his successor some tips, but wasn’t planning on engaging much with council.

“I’ve had a fair crack in 26 years, it’s someone else’s turn now.“

However, he planned to help fundraise and advocate to have a community hall built in Tapawera.

“I want to get it done so I can say I had something built in every township in the ward.”