Efeso Collins was taking part in ChildFund Water Run to raise funds to support local communities in the Pacific when he collapsed. Video / Carson Bluck
Collins was taking part in ChildFund Water Run to raise funds to support local communities in the Pacific at 9am in Auckland’s Britomart when he collapsed.
Emergency services immediately responded with CPR and defibrillators to treat the MP and continued working on him for an hour.
An organiser for the event confirmed to the Herald he had died at the scene.
Collins, 49, is survived by his wife Fia and two daughters.
Collins was elected to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board in 2013 and became its chairperson.
Three years later he was elected to the Auckland Council as one of two councillors for the Manukau ward.
At the 2022 local body elections, he stood for the mayoralty as an independent with the backing of the Labour Party and outgoing Mayor Phil Goff, where he was the runner-up to Wayne Brown.
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He was elected to Parliament as a Green Party MP at the 2023 election and party co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson released a statement on Collins’ death, saying they were “absolutely devastated”.
Shaw choked back tears while addressing the media.
“He truly was the most beautiful man with an orientation of love,” Shaw said.
“A beautiful family has lost a dedicated father, husband, and community leader,” the co-leaders said in a statement.
Fa'anana Efeso Collins was a devoted husband and father. Photo / Michael Craig
They sent their thoughts to Collins’ wife and young daughters.
“Aotearoa and the Green Party have lost one of the kindest, most dedicated champions of fairness and equality,” they said.
Collins ‘happy, jovial’ before collapse
Community advocate Dave Letele has paid tribute to a man who was dedicated to his community and who was set to do big things representing his people and the Pacific community as his new role as a Greens MP.
Speaking at the scene, Letele - who was also a participant of the charity run - said Collins had come out to support an event that was ultimately helping the Pacific region.
“The bro was giving his time and it’s just an incredibly sad day.
”He acknowledged that Collins’ work was ‘only just beginning’.
”Now being in the Green Party and being in Parliament. The impact that he was meant to have for us, was going to be huge - for us [Pasifika] was going to be huge.
“They’d just announced the winner and everyone was standing around - then there was a scream. I turned around and he’s collapsed to the ground.”
The outdoor event was attended by a number of high-profile Aucklanders including Dave Letele, The Hits host Matty McLean and Seven Sharp anchor Hilary Barry.
Participants and organisers embrace at the scene after Efeso Collins collapsed.
Letele was beside Collins, as paramedics and emergency staff including firefighters keep providing medical treatment to him.
A witness said as emergency services arrived, many of the participants and event staff became emotional.
“There were lots of tears and everyone was hugging each other.”
He was taking part in a water run race in Te Komititanga Square outside Commercial Bay to raise awareness and money for clean drinking water to children in the Pacific Contestants raced each other around a course carrying two filled buckets of water, with the person with the most water deemed the champion.
A screenshot from Flava's Instagram story from this morning before the water run, during which Efeso Collins collapsed.
‘A life of service’
Green Party co-leaders Davidson and Shaw said Collins “devoted his life to serving and making a difference to the lives of those he met, including his constituents, colleagues, friends, and family.
“He held the deepest respect of the members of all political parties and communities.”
“We will continue to aspire to the dedication and commitment Efeso showed to always put the greater good above our own. He showed us what that means every single day,” they said.
Efeso Collins devoted his life to service. Photo / Greg Bowker
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he is “truly shocked and saddened” to hear of Collins’ death.
“Efeso was a good man, always friendly and kind, and a true champion and advocate for his Samoan and South Auckland communities,” Luxon said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to his family, his community and colleagues.”
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said it was a sad day for Auckland.
“He was a good man; my heart goes out to his family. Efeso is someone I had a lot of respect for.
“He was a bold Pacific leader and champion for South Auckland, as well as a fierce and respectful opponent on the campaign trail for the Auckland mayoralty.
“Although we competed for the mayoralty, we actually became quite good friends and were very respectful of each other.”
MPs could be seen leaving select committee rooms in Parliament House after an unexpected adjournment apparently triggered by Collins’ death.
Some MPs could be seen crying as they headed for Parliament’s black and white tiles.
Parliament will still meet today at 2pm, however Question Time has been cancelled.
The Speaker will read a prayer.
In the past, party leaders have marked the death of an MP by each speaking on that MP’s passing before adjourning Parliament early.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he was saddened by Collins’ death, saying he had “deep respect” for the former Labour Party member and candidate.
Hipkins said he first met Collins when he was Auckland Student Association president in 1999.
“We connected because of shared values, a love for New Zealand as a country that supports and embraces all people.” He added Labour’s Pacific caucus was in mourning.
Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni described Collins as a “passionate advocate for our community and a role model for the people of South Auckland and New Zealand’s Pacific community”.
“We are thinking of Efeso’s wife and his two beautiful daughters, his wider whānau, friends and community. The loss of this courageous man will be felt by so many,” she said.
“This has deeply affected us as a Labour Party, our Pacific caucus members and MPs across Parliament.”
Auckland councillor Mike Lee was shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Collins, saying “he was more than a colleague, he was a dear friend”, adding the country had lost a man who had the potential for greatness.
Auckland councillor Richard Hills paid tribute to Collins’ lifelong dedication to service.
Everyone’s shell shocked about Efeso. I honestly don’t want to believe it.
His poor whānau. Devastated for Fia and his girls. He loved them so much, and he spoke about them at every opportunity. I can’t even comprehend this.
Labour MP Helen White said she was shocked and sad to hear of Collins’ death. “He was such a warm man and his love for his family was spears evident,” White said. “My thoughts are with his whānau on this terrible day.”
Collins’ 2022 Auckland Mayoral rival Leo Molloy paid tribute to the Green MP online, saying they had shared a moment this morning before the event began.
“I had a laugh with Efeso about politics and Wayne before they commenced.
“Efeso was a remarkable man, we didn’t agree politically, but as a person, and an orator, he was without peer.
“A beautiful kind man gone far too soon.”
Thoughts & prayers to Efeso Collins’ family I happened to attend today to support my dear friend Buttabean. I had a laugh with Efeso about politics and Wayne before they commenced. Efeso was a remarkable man, we didn’t agree politically, but as a person, and an orator, he was…
Labour MP Deborah Russell said Collins was a “man with a big generous heart and soul, and a huge desire to do the best for people. He had so much to give and he gave it freely”.
Shocked and devastated to hear the heart breaking news of @efesocollins passing this morning. Just a few weeks ago in Waitangi we were talking about his inspiring plans as a new MP who understands Local Govt.
