On Wednesday, the Green Party announced the death of the New Zealand parliamentarian and Green Party member Efeso Collins, who died during a charity event in Auckland.
New Zealanders, including leaders from across the political spectrum, have expressed shock and grief over the sudden death of Collins.
Collins Dies After Charity Event
"It is with profound shock and sadness that we can confirm that Green Party MP Efeso Collins has died," the Green Party said in a statement. The party claimed that they are devastated as a beautiful family has lost a faithful father, husband, and community leader.
Collins was elected to the parliament as a Green MP in the October 2023 general election after serving as a Labour-party affiliated councilor for Auckland's Manukau ward. He ran for mayor of Auckland in 2022 but lost to Wayne Brown.
He collapsed after participating in the ChildFund Water Run, a fundraising event for the charity working to bring clean drinking water to children in the Pacific. The Greens said that this cause was close to Collins's heart.
The Greens said that the on-site medical team immediately went to Collin's aid and did everything they could to revive him. They noted that they were grateful to the medical team for responding immediately.
"Aotearoa and the Green party have lost one of the kindest, most dedicated champions of fairness and equality," Green Party co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson said.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his shock and sadness over Collin's passing. Luxon described Collins as a decent man who was always friendly and kind. He also said he was devoted to his Samoan and South Auckland communities.
Furthermore, he extended his thoughts and deepest sympathies to Collin's family, community, and colleagues. According to Labour party's deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni, Collins was a passionate advocate for their community and a role model for the people of South Auckland and New Zealand's Pacific community. She added that many people will feel the loss of this courageous man.
Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson claimed the city had lost a devoted and inspiring leader. Wilson continued that the local government and the Auckland Council will forever remember Collins.
Furthermore, the Greens said Collins dedicated his life to helping others and changing the world. They said they will continue to aspire to the dedication and commitment Collins showed to always put the greater good above their own.
Collins Delivers Powerful Speech
According to RNZ News, Collins delivered his maiden speech to parliament less than a week ago. He talked about being the youngest of six children born in the South Auckland district of Ōtara to parents who arrived from Samoa in the early 1960s.
Collins talked about attending local schools and living in state housing as a child. He had started learning Samoan again recently and was given the chiefly title of Fa'anānā from his mother's village in Samoa.
He said that if he was to inspire anyone by getting to the House and his work over the next three years, he hoped it would be the square pegs, the misfits, the forgotten, the unloved, and the invisible. He continued that the dreamers want and expect more, are impatient for change, and have this uncanny ability to stretch them further.
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