Green MP Efeso Collins has died after taking part in a charity event in central Auckland this morning.
Collins was taking part in a ChildFund charity run in central Auckland when he collapsed and was later pronounced dead after emergency services worked on him for an hour.
Political leaders from across the spectrum have spoken, with the Green Party saying they were “absolutely devastated” and co-leader James Shaw addressing media in Parliament holding back tears.
Collins spent three terms in Auckland Council, serving as the chairperson of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and as Manukau ward councillor. He was among the leading contenders for Auckland’s mayoralty in 2022. He most recently joined the Green Party as was elected into Parliament at the last election.
At the time, he said he was “elated and humbled” to be elected.
In a statement confirming Collins’ death, Green Party co-leaders Shaw and Marama Davidson said the on-site medical team immediately went to the MP’s aid and did everything they could to revive him.
“We are absolutely devastated. A beautiful family has lost a dedicated father, husband, and community leader.”
The pair described Collins as “one of the kindest, most dedicated champions of fairness and equality”, and said he had devoted his life to serving and making a difference to the lives of those he met.
“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.
“We will miss Efeso dearly, but celebrate with gratitude the contribution he has made to Aotearoa.
“We ask that the privacy of his family be respected above all, in their time of loss.”
Speaking from Parliament, Shaw read aloud that statement and gave an update on what would be happening in Parliament.
Clearly emotional, he said there would be statements in the House from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Labour leader Chris Hipkins and one of Te Pati Māori’s co-leaders at 2pm.
The House would then rise for Wednesday, and possibly Thursday as well.
A full tribute would be scheduled in the House, but today “was not the day for that”.
Answering questions, Shaw said he “truly was the most beautiful man, with an orientation of love”.
“He was deeply committed and steadfast in what he believed in and championed, but did all of that with a sense of grace and love, without a lot of the Punch and Judy spirit you get around here.”
Shaw said he found out about Collins’ death through the media a short time after he collapsed.
Of Collins’ legacy, he said: “His contribution as a community leader, particularly in South Auckland as a member of the board there and a member of Auckland Council and as a Pasifika mayoral candidate … gave enormous hope to a lot of Pasifika and Māori people.
“To see someone like him step into that role was significant.”
Shaw’s shared a memory he would hold dear.
“The one that springs to mind was actually a candidate list ranking conference, which would be about a year ago. I took quite a long time to sit with him, and he talked to me about the political journey he’d been on and some of the experiences he’d had with different diverse communities that had shifted him on some of his positions.
“And that was when I kind of fell in love with the guy. And thought here was someone who I think can be a great politician; great Member of Parliament. Because he had an openness, a non-defensiveness, a sense of humility about who he was and his place in the world. Whilst also having that strength to kind of keep going and keep doing this sort of work. And that is an incredibly rare combination of characteristics.”
Many of Collins’ colleagues and friends, including Marama Davidson, wouldn’t be in the House this afternoon as they’d be on their way to Auckland.
The Greens wouldn’t be doing any interviews “for the foreseeable” future, he said.
In the House this afternoon, Luxon expressed “immense shock and sadness” at Collins’ passing, and acknowledged his wife and daughters “as they process the shock and the unspeakable sense of loss and grief that they feel today”.
“I met Efeso almost two years ago and in fact the two of us caught up just a couple of weeks ago and the two of us talked about balancing family and work life in this place … in all my interactions with him, Efeso was always so friendly, gracious, generous, kind, positive and collaborative with a lovely sense of humour.
“He was what I would call a true servant leader.”
He said Collins was just getting started at Parliament and had a promising political career.
“Efeso came to this place with the same grace and humility and mana he brought to all of his work as an advocate for those he represented. I have no doubt that he would have been very successful, and very good for this Parliament and this place.”
He also acknowledged the loss the Greens and Labour would be feeling.
“Efeso was a good man, always friendly and kind, and a true champion and advocate for his Samoan and South Auckland communities.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to his family, his community and colleagues.”
Hipkins said earlier Labour was devastated to hear the news, recounting how he had first met Collins when he was president of the Auckland Student Association in 1999.
“We connected because of shared values, a love for New Zealand as a country that supports and embraces all people,” Hipkins said.
Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said Collins was a passionate advocate for New Zealand’s Pacific community, and a role model for Pasifika New Zealanders as well as the people of South Auckland.
“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,” Sepuloni said.
Even Taxpayers’ Union executive director Jordan Williams weighed in, saying while he and Collins had different politics, he could always call and have a constructive conversation with him.
Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams said:
“One of his strengths was that he tended to eschew the polarised politics of the modern age.”
Collins was of Samoan descent, and raised in south Auckland’s Ōtara. He was married and a father of two.
- Additional reporting from RNZ
Truly very very sad. A huge loss for the wider ‘Left’, and ultimately for all of Aotearoa.