*Updated to include Jacqui Church and Anne Cao-Oulton
The News asked Waikato District Council candidates to provide us with no more than 30 words on why they were standing for public office and what one bit of difference would they want to make if elected.
Some provided more than we asked for, some were repetitive, so we cropped them back and some we could not contact but will update as we are able. Here is what they had to say.
Mayor
Aksel Bech: Rates have become unaffordable and we can no longer continue with a broken system of local government; we need to reset, starting with greatly increasing shared services to lower costs.
Driving the change to genuinely empowering communities through voice, choice and control over the things that matter most is the path to more engaged communities that I want to achieve.
Aksel Bech – 2025
Jacqui Church: I’m driven to democratically serve our communities and people. Driving effective, cost-focused, equitable and fit-for-purpose deliverables, is my vision. Directional change has happened, now we step it up.
We’re restructuring council operationally. Led innovative strategies: Communications; Rural, Lifestyle-blocks and Hamlets; Environmental; Housing; Road contracts and 3Waters. Building trust to ensure strategic cost-smart outcomes for communities. Now we activate.
Jacqui Church
Tamahere-Woodlands ward
Crystal Beavis: To advance aspirations expressed by communities in their own plans, implement government reform in resource management, manage infrastructure and core services efficiently, bring general rates rises below 3% as planned.
To ensure the communities I represent are informed and engaged with the work of council and, together, to develop genuine dialogue and mutual confidence that council decisions are democratically driven.
Crystal Beavis – 2025
Anne Cao-Oulton: I’ve actively served on both the Tamahere and Matangi community committees for several years. Now I would like to contribute my experience and skills to do more work for the community.
To make a change in council to create a community where all are living in a thriving, prosperous, lively and supportive environment that is a model for the world.
Anne Cao-Oulton
Mike Keir: To provide service to my community after a career working in infrastructure. As councils core business is maintenance and management of infrastructure, I feel I can add value.
Reduction of further rate increases through improving council’s effectiveness, efficiency and providing better value for the money that is spent.
Mike Keir – 2025
Peter Mayall: I am standing for council to bring practical, financially responsible leadership to Tamahere–Woodlands and will ensure ratepayers get real value for every dollar spent with core services delivered efficiently, and property rights respected.
I will make a real difference by putting common sense, smart spending, and local needs at the heart of every council decision.
Peter Mayall – 2025
