ERA Committee Members

Raised in Matamata and educated at the University of Waikato, I am proud to call myself a son of the Waikato. However, having lived in greater Tokyo for eight years and now living in New Zealand’s global city, I also believe I can add breadth of experience to small-town practical sensibility.

I moved to Ellerslie with my wife Candace in mid-2012, just before our daughter Isobel arrived. As new parents, we soon discovered the value of a strong community and accessible local amenities. Isobel loved Natural Steps Ellerslie Village and now attends Ellerslie School, Candace has been involved in the Ellerslie Toy Library and worked in the Goodman's business park, and we all enjoy Ellerslie’s many high-quality food outlets and parks. Such local involvement enables us to learn more about this thriving community. I am glad to have joined the Ellerslie Residents Association committee in October 2014, and to become to Chair in November 2019.

I hope that I can use my experiences to make even a small contribution to the further development of Ellerslie as a wonderfully liveable suburb. That experience includes four years as an in-house interpreter for a rugby team in Japan and recently professional accreditation as a translator (NZSTI). Through these, I developed strong communication and organisation skills, and an appreciation for the local impact of global trends.
One such trend is the revival of walkable neighbourhoods. Many cities around the world are rediscovering the value of walking and cycling accessibility, and as a commuter cyclist with a child in tow I am keenly aware of how much easier cycling in Auckland could be. Improving the walking and cycling environment in Ellerslie is one particular interest I bring to the ERA.

More specifically, I am current engaging with the Council regarding path lighting in Michaels Avenue Reserve, and advocating for broader resident amenity to be taken into account in ongoing MAR developments.

The suburb of Ellerslie is a wonderful blend of the old and the new, and is both centrally located yet retains a distinct character. I look forward to working with the residents of Ellerslie to make it an even better place to live.

I come from a family with long links to Ellerslie: my mother was raised and schooled in Ellerslie, my Grandfather was on the Ellerslie Borough Council and my great Grandparents also running a business in Ellerslie.
I moved to Ellerslie in 1987 when my partner and I purchased our first home. We eventually moved to a larger home where we raised our two sons.
I have always had a keen interest supporting my community and over the years have been involved with various committees - Plunket committee, Ellerslie & One Tree Hill Playgroups, Ellerslie School PTA and Board Member & assisted with various school and sport groups that my children have been involved with,
My career has centred on Office Administration and Accounts work. I continued working part-time after having children, within Accounts/Admin dominated roles. A favourite job being the 5 years as Administration co-ordinator for the local YMCA at the Ellerslie Recreation Centre which is a very community-based environment. I currently work as Accounts Administrator based in Penrose.
I joined the ERA committee in 2014 with a commitment to assist where ever possible to assist Ellerslie residents have a great liveable community. My focus has significantly been on Michaels Ave Reserve during its upgrade and the general care and maintenance of our local parks and wetlands.
I hope that more residents will become involved with sharing their interests and support in the future of our community and parks. The more people who get involved with their local community the more success we will have.
With the advancement in social media, it’s becoming easier to link up with others with similar interests and work together to get improvements happening.
Cathy Summers

Ron Seeto B. Arch(Hons) is a registered architect and is principal of MCP Architects Auckland with associated offices in Queenstown and Fiji. Projects undertaken include a new Gathering Space addition to historic St Michael’s Church in Remuera, a Junior classroom block for St Michael’s Primary School, the Buddhist Temple in East Tamaki, a Sikh Temple in Manurewa, a large coastal holiday retreat in Omaha, a variety of commercial industrial developments and lifestyle residential properties throughout New Zealand and Fiji and the South Pacific.

Ron has served the community in his capacity as Governor of Rotary International District 9920, 2012-2013. He was formerly President of the Rotary Club in Newmarket in 2006-2007 and a past member of the St Michael’s School Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Auckland Architectural Association and Fiji Arts Council and Fiji Forestry Board.

Ron has lived with his family for 25 years in the Pink House he designed in Derby Downs. His architectural practice operates out of the Red House across a courtyard separated by a pond. He has a vital interest in the Racecourse development and the Unitary Plan. A growing list of local projects present exciting opportunities to apply his architectural skills making Ellerslie the most liveable suburb in Auckland.