Priority-setting: Mr Davies wants to ensure the new board gets as much say over local matters as possible.

Allen Davies is well-known by islanders and tourists as a longtime bus driver, taking commuters to and from the ferry and showing visitors the island’s sights.

But those are not his only talents.

He declares himself to be the most experienced candidate standing for the Waiheke Local Board and is determined to ensure it gets as much say over local matters as possible if he is elected.

He backs up the claim by citing his many years as a local government politician and community volunteer.

“I have been chairman of different committees of Waitemata and Waitakere City councils, chairman of the Massey Community Board, deputy chairman of the Waitemata Electric Power Board, vice-president of the Waitakere Licensing Trust, president of the Power New Zealand Shareholders’ Society. The list goes on.”

As well as that, Mr Davies has given his time to a wide variety of community groups and associations such as the scouts, with which he has been involved for more than 30 years.

He believes his involvement with community and political organisations show he knows how to achieve goals and lead others.

Mr Davies has teamed up with two other independent island candidates – Paul Walden and Marijke Ransom – to form the Absolutely Waiheke group.

The three each have a long history of involvement with the island and are united in wanting its character preserved, Mr Davies says.

He is determined to reverse Auckland City Council’s decision to re-site the service centre alongside the new library in Oneroa, saying it should stay where it is.

He regards it as one of the island’s top three key issues alongside closure of the Esplanade, with which he disagrees, and the proposal for Waiheke to apply to become a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

“I have had many people speak to me in regard to the Esplanade closure all saying they disagree with it, and I must agree with them.

“I have listened to the proposal for a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and I believe it could well be a good thing for Waiheke, but I do believe those promoting it would do better to do so outside the local board.”

He says he prefers to focus on other issues, particularly relating to roading and transport, and is vowing to put in as much time as it takes as a board member.

Mr Davies deals swiftly with queries from Waiheke High School students Huia Pocklington and Ella Reilly.

In his response to their questions about how the board could make things easier for students (for example, with travel costs) and whether young people should have a voice on council, he says, “Huia needs to talk to my granddaughter Constance, whom she knows quite well, because Constance travels to Auckland University every day without any difficulty. Her monthly pass gives free travel on NZ Bus services throughout Auckland and she does not have any problems.

“Ella asks about youth involvement. Well, the first thing is they need to attend board meetings, listen, and then actively make submissions to the board.

“The opportunity to be involved and listened to has always been there and will continue I believe with the new board.”