Efeso Collins was a New Zealand politician who served as a Green Party Member of Parliament from October 2023 to February 2024. He was also a former Auckland councillor and a community leader who advocated for social justice, environmental sustainability, and cultural diversity. He passed away on 21 February 2024 at the age of 49 after collapsing at an Auckland charity event.
Efeso Collins Bio/Wiki
| Name | Efeso Collins |
|---|---|
| Born | 1974/1975 in Auckland, New Zealand |
| Died | 21 February 2024 (aged 49) in Auckland, New Zealand |
| Cause of death | Suspected heart attack |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Ethnicity | Samoan and Tokelauan |
| Religion | Pentecostal Christian |
| Occupation | Politician, teacher, youth worker, consultant, speaker, writer |
| Political party | Green Party (2023-2024), Labour Party (before 2023) |
| Spouse | Fia Collins (m. 2011) |
| Children | Two daughters, Kaperiela and Asalemo |
| Positions held | Member of Parliament for Green Party list (2023-2024), Auckland councillor for Manukau ward (2016-2022), chairperson of Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board (2013-2016) |
| Portfolios | Pacific Peoples, Education, Local Government |
| Committees | Education and Workforce, Governance and Administration |
| Links | Instagram- @efesocollins Homepage- Newsunzip |
Birthday, Education, Early Life
Efeso Collins was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1974. He was the youngest of six children to bus driver and Pentecostal Church pastor Tauiliili Sio Collins and factory worker and cleaner Lotomau Collins. His parents were immigrants from Samoa who came to New Zealand in the 1960s in search of better opportunities.
He grew up in a humble and religious household in South Auckland, where he experienced poverty, racism, and discrimination. He attended East Tamaki Primary School, Ferguson Intermediate School, and Auckland Grammar School, where he excelled academically and socially. He was also involved in sports, music, and drama.
Efeso Collins pursued higher education at the University of Auckland, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Studies in 1996. He also obtained a Master of Arts in Pacific Studies in 1998 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in 1999. He later completed a Doctor of Education degree at the University of Auckland in 2017, focusing on the educational experiences of Pacific students in New Zealand. He was the first person in his family to achieve a doctoral degree.
Career and Achievements
Efeso Collins started his career as a teacher and a youth worker in South Auckland. He taught at Tangaroa College and Papatoetoe High School, where he mentored and inspired many young people. He also ran youth mentoring programs and community initiatives that aimed to empower and uplift Pacific and Maori youth. He was passionate about education, culture, and social justice, and he advocated for the rights and interests of marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
Efeso entered politics in 2010, when he was elected as a member of the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board. He served as the chairperson of the board from 2013 to 2016, where he led several projects and campaigns that improved the quality of life and services in his area. He was also a vocal critic of the Auckland Council’s policies and decisions that he felt were unfair and detrimental to his community. He championed issues such as affordable housing, public transport, waste management, and community safety.
In 2016, Collins was elected as a councillor for the Manukau ward, representing the Otara-Papatoetoe and Mangere-Otahuhu local boards. He was the first Pacific person to hold this position, and he continued to be a strong voice and advocate for his constituents. He was also a member of several committees and boards, such as the Environment and Community Committee, the Regulatory Committee, the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group Committee, and the Auckland Transport Board.
In 2023, Efeso Collins made history by becoming the first Pacific person to be elected as a Member of Parliament for the Green Party. He won the Mangere electorate seat with a landslide victory, defeating the incumbent Labour MP Aupito William Sio.
He was also appointed as the Green Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples, Education, Social Development, and Local Government. He was a respected and influential member of the parliament, where he worked collaboratively and constructively with other parties and stakeholders. He also introduced several bills and motions that addressed the issues and concerns of his electorate and the wider Pacific community.
Physical Stats
| Height | 5’ 10″ |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Black |
Wife, Daughter
Efeso Collins was a married man. He met his wife, Fia Collins, in 2004, when he was running youth mentoring programs and she was a student of education. They married in 2011 and had two daughters, Kaperiela and Asalemo. Fia Collins is a diversity and inclusion specialist who works for the Auckland Council. He was a devoted husband and father who loved and supported his family. He was also a proud Samoan and a faithful Christian who followed the teachings and values of his church.
Efeso was a charismatic and compassionate person who had a positive and optimistic outlook on life. He was known for his humor, warmth, and generosity. He enjoyed reading, writing, singing, and playing the guitar. He was also a fan of sports, especially rugby and cricket. He had many friends and admirers from different walks of life and backgrounds. He was a role model and a leader who inspired and influenced many people.
Cause of Death and Legacy
Efeso Collins passed away on 21 February 2024 at the age of 49. He collapsed at an Auckland charity event in central Auckland, where he was a guest speaker. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of his death was not disclosed, but it was speculated that he suffered a heart attack or a stroke. His sudden and tragic death shocked and saddened his family, friends, colleagues, and supporters. He was the first sitting MP in New Zealand to die in office since Labour MP Parekura Horomia, eleven years earlier.
Collins was given a state funeral, where he was honored and remembered by the Prime Minister, the Governor-General, the Speaker of the House, and other dignitaries and leaders. He was also given a traditional Samoan funeral, where he was celebrated and mourned by his church, his community, and his family. He was buried at the Manukau Memorial Gardens, where hundreds of people paid their respects and tributes.
Efeso Collins left behind a legacy of service and leadership that will not be forgotten. He was a trailblazer and a pioneer who broke barriers and made history. He was a champion and an advocate who fought for justice and equality. He was a teacher and a mentor who educated and empowered. He was a friend and a brother who loved and cared. He was a hero and a legend who inspired and influenced.
Net Worth In 2024
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $1.2 million |
| 2023 | $1.4 million |
| 2024 | $1.6 million |
