Why community matters: Aksel Bech on leadership and service
Born in Denmark and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand from the age of 14, Massey alumnus Aksel Bech has called Waikato home for more than 30 years. The long connection to the place and its people has fostered his leadership style in service and community voice.
Aksel’s background includes a Bachelor of Science from Massey University, a Master of Social Science from the University of Waikato, and accreditation as a dispute resolution mediator, equipping him with both strong analytical skills and a people-centred approach.
Before entering local government, Aksel built a successful career in business. He was part of a management buy-out of NDA Engineering, a stainless-steel fabrication company and major exporter, which grew to operate workshops across New Zealand, Australia and China. The experience gave him a firsthand understanding of governance, financial discipline and the realities faced by organisations operating across diverse markets.
Aksel’s journey into local government began as a Waikato District councillor and later as Deputy Mayor. His recent election as Mayor marks his third term, at a time when councils across Aotearoa are navigating significant change. He describes the moment as humbling.
“It is an incredible honour to have been elected as the Mayor of Waikato District Council, and I am deeply grateful for the trust the communities have placed in me and this new Council,” he says.
“The communities here in the Waikato are many and varied, from Raglan to Pōkeno, Huntly to Miranda, Ngāruawāhia to Tuakau. To be relevant across such a spectrum is challenging and complex, but that also makes it an exciting opportunity for community leadership.”
Aksel says his time at Massey played a lasting role in shaping his approach to leadership today. He shares, “The BSc gave me a strong problem-solving foundation. I was never scared of being set an unfamiliar problem or tackling a difficult task.”
“Just as important were the critical thinking skills. In a world where information is instantly available, being able to distinguish evidence from opinion is essential. That sceptical evaluation I gained at Massey is something I use every day in local government,” he adds.
As Mayor, Aksel has two clear priorities: improving affordability for ratepayers and strengthening community empowerment. He believes the current cost-of-living pressures demand a reset in how councils operate.
“People want a council that is transparent, accountable and focused on getting the basics right. They want rates that are fair and services that deliver real value,” he says.
Alongside affordability, he is committed to increasing local voice, choice and control, arguing that communities themselves are best placed to understand what matters most where they live.
“The role of council is to enable and facilitate that – or in some cases, just get out of the way,” he says. “Council must serve the community.”
For Aksel, the motivation to lead comes from a lifelong connection to community.
“I’ve always sought community, whether at Massey in the hostels or here in the Waikato, where we’ve lived for nearly 30 years. In a time of increasing economic pressure and division, to hold a mandated community leadership role is a real privilege.”
He encourages fellow Massey alumni to consider stepping into leadership roles in their own communities.
“Get involved. Step up,” he says. “Through volunteering, governance or community boards, you often gain more than you give. It’s a rewarding way to make a real difference where you live.”