Denise Roche is already a familiar face to many on Waiheke as the island’s councillor and member of the present community board.

She has also spent varing amounts of time over the past 12 years as a member of both Piritahi Kohanga Reo and Nga Purapura Akoranga whanaus, a member of the Waiheke Community Childcare Centre management committee, a school trustee, a radio volunteer, and a co-ordinator for Junk to Funk.

After a busy time as councillor, she is now looking forward to bringing her experience to the new local board if she is elected next month.

“The first and most pressing issue the new local board will have to deal with is ensuring it has the authority to make effective decisions,” she says.

Ms Roche believes a lot of what the new board may want to do will come under the jurisdiction of Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) and it is vital good relationships are forged fast.

Greater scrutiny of how rates are spent and a review of planning policies are among the top of a list of things she would like to do as a board member over the next three years.

“For example, I do not want to see local businesses unable to erect a modest sign while the city plasters the island with motorway-style signs,” she says.

She believes businesses should be encouraged so employment is retained on the island, and also wants the board to focus on transport issues and environmental planning.

Ms Roche lists three priorities for inclusion in the new local board plan that has to be drawn up soon after elected members take office.

“Firstly, I want to see a coherent Waiheke transport plan that includes how roads are shared between motorists, bus drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

“The second concerns development and consenting. There should be consistency and consents issued from a Waiheke office rather than in town.

“Thirdly, there should be a spatial plan, including maritime spatial planning and recognition of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Forum.”

Other things on her special wish list include getting the skate park finished, opening up more public space, getting reserves officially included in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, seeing Waiheke is accepted as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and helping the island to win National Cycleway funding.

She sees her past experience as an advocate and strong communicator as qualities that have helped her perform effectively as a team player as well as enabling her to offer leadership.

She will consider putting herself forward as chairperson of the new local board if she is elected but says it would depend on what talents the other board members had to offer.

Her vision for the island’s future includes a community cottage hospital, a subsidised ferry service, a comprehensive transport plan, and more social housing by 2014.

By 2020, she wants waste to have been dramatically reduced, collection services provided locally and recycled for processing in Auckland.

Meanwhile, she offers positive answers to questions from Waiheke High School students Huia Pocklington and Ella Reilly about help for students and their chances of being heard on council.

Ms Roche thinks ferries should be publicly subsidised, which would help students with their travel costs, and is keen to see a youth representative co-opted to the local board.

“The new Auckland Council structure does not include a Youth Council. However, I definitely think there is a need for one.” •