Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Green MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins has died during a charity event in central Auckland.
Collins was taking part in a ChildFund charity run in central Auckland on Wednesday when he collapsed.
The event, near Britomart, was to support local communities in the Pacific.
Efeso Collins with his wife. Photo: Supplied/ Fa'anānā Efeso Collins
Collins was married and a father of two. Born and raised in south Auckland's Ōtara, his parents had come to New Zealand from Samoa.
He spent three terms in Auckland Council, serving as the chairperson of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and as Manukau ward councillorm before he unsucessfully stood for Auckland's mayor in 2022.
Collins recently switched his allegiance from Labour to the Green Party and was elected into Parliament at the last election.
A staunch advocate for the poor, he said he was "elated and humbled" to be elected after being ranked eleventh on the party list.
Death confirmed
In a statement the Green Party co-leaders confirmed Collins collapsed while taking part in the ChildFund Water Run, saying the news came as a "profound shock to everyone".
"Our absolute priority is to Efeso's wife and young girls."
They said the onsite medical team immediately went to Collins' aid and did everything they could to revive him.
"Efeso 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."
At the scene
Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
A white sheet was put up outside Britomart before a black tent was eventually erected. Two ambulances originally attended the scene before leaving.
Attendees at the charity event could be seen consoling each other and stood around holding hands and singing waiata. Others could be seen praying.
Tributes
Efeso Collins with then Auckland Mayor Phil Goff in 2017. Photo: RNZ/Todd Niall
Tributes have started pouring in from across the political spectrum and wider community.
The Labour Party issued a statement in which they said they were devestated.
Leader Chris Hipkins said he first met Collins in 1999 and had a "deep respect" for him.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters tweeted that his thoughts were with Collins' family after his "untimely and tragic passing".
Fellow mayoral candidate Leo Malloy said he was at the event with Collins on Wednesday morning and "had a laugh" with him.
"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," he posted on X.
Auckland councillor Richard Hills, who served on the council with Collins, also posted on X and said everyone was shocked.
"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. A life of service until the end."
Parliamentary process
Parliamentary select committees were suspended Wednesday morning after some MPs were seen to be visibly shaken.
Parliament was expected to meet as scheduled at 2pm on Wednesday afternoon, but was likely to be suspended for the rest of the day.
The last MP to die during their term was Labour's Parekura Horomia in 2013.