Vision and legacy of Efeso Collins will endure

Efeso Collins’ first foray into politics took place on campus at the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland 25 years ago, when he was elected Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA) president. He graduated with a Master of Arts in 1999 and also taught at the University.

The 49-year-old Green Party MP suddenly collapsed in downtown Auckland on 21 February while taking part in the ChildFund Water Run to support local Pacific communities in Auckland.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau, said Collins was a trailblazer as the first Pacific person to become AUSA president; the two studied together at the University and first met as 18 year-olds. It was a friendship that would endure.

“That relationship never ended, that is, until today, and his legacy remains with us, we will make him proud,” she says.

She says Efeso’s political career and bold leadership began at the University.

“He was a visionary and paved the way for Pacific peoples; he always made time to come onto campus for our students. Our thoughts go out to his family. He will be dearly missed.

“Ia manuia lau malaga. Alofa’aga e lē mavae mo oe le tuagane pele. Safe journey/Rest in peace. Our love for you will never end dearest brother.”

Associate Dean Pacific, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Sir Collin Tukuitonga, says Efeso was a rare person, and was taken too early.

"A number of us were hopeful he would also have an impact at parliament. It feels like a sudden stop in someone who has already had a big impact. No doubt his legacy will live on in many of the things he has supported."

Collins worked at the University for 15 years and looked to the next generation of Pacific youth in his vision to build future leaders, founding ‘Dream Fono’, a leadership and mentoring programme targeted Year 12 students, in 2002. The programme encouraged students into tertiary education and to aspire to leadership roles.

Both Catherine Dunphy and Geremy Hema from the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori office worked closely with Collins and said the news was absolutely devastating. Dunphy noted Collin’s generosity in giving back to the University.

“Efeso loved helping young people and was always willing to come back to the University and share stories and laughter with our Tuākana Learning Community.”

They paid tribute to their late colleague:

“E te aporei e Fa’anānā, te tangata mau taitara ali’i nō ngā kāinga o Satufia, Satupaitea, te moutere o Savai'i, haere ki ō tūpuna, haere ki Te Atua.
E te taniwha niho koi te ao tōrungapū, te kaiwhatu i ngā kete o te mātauranga, te ringa raupā o te hapori, o te iwi, okioki atu rā.

Ahatia te ohorere, te āhua whawhati tata o tō hinganga, ko te kāpura o te aroha o te iwi, e kore e tineia, engari e kaha mura tonu ana.

E rere ana te aroha me ngā īnoi mō Fia, āu tamāhine, me tō whānau whānui.

“To you our dear friend and former colleague, Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, holder of the ali’i chiefly title of Fa’anānā from the village of Satufia, Satupaitea in Savaii, may you find rest in your ancestors and your creator.

"We acknowledge your brilliance and courage as a political voice, your dedication to educational excellence, your humble leadership and service within our communities. Rest in peace.

"Although we are devastated and shocked at your sudden passing, our love for you, and gratitude for your endless service to your people, will endure forever.

"Our prayers are with Fia, your girls, and your whānau and community.”

Collins entered the local political scene ten years ago after being elected to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, later becoming its chairperson, and was then elected on to Auckland Council representing the Manukau Ward.

He ran for the Auckland mayoralty as an independent candidate in 2022, with endorsement from Labour and the Greens, and came runner-up to Wayne Brown.

Later, Collins was confirmed as the Green Party candidate running for the Panmure-Ōtāhuhu seat, coming third, but elected to Parliament as a list MP.

In his maiden speech, just a week before his death, Collins advocated for more support for young people, who were his enduring focus, alongside the poor and marginalised.

“It’s our job in this house to resource the people and organisations who will model the behaviour to them that we expect, but who also won’t give up on them and won’t come with a saviour mentality,” he said.