Fa'anānā Efeso Collins, 49, collapsed and died during a charity event in the Auckland CBD last week. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Political leaders and members of the community have been gathering in Auckland to pay their respects to Green MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins, who died last week.
Fa'anānā, 49, collapsed and died during a charity event in the Auckland CBD on 21 February.
His body is lying in Onehunga for three days leading up to his funeral.
A steady stream of mourners arrived at the Tipene Funeral home in Onehunga on Monday to pay their respects to a beloved community leader.
Tangaloa Sa Fata Meafou, Fa'anānā's cousin, was among them and described the emotional scene inside.
"Most of them inside, they were crying, and [it was] hard for them to do their testimony about Efeso, they said it's really hard because he [did] a lot for people,"
She said Fa'anānā was being remembered as someone who touched many lives.
"People know that he's a humble man," she said.
"He's a really, really good person."
People gather outside Tipene Funeral Home on 26 February 2024. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw were in attendance, as well as MP Chlöe Swarbrick and Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins.
Singing could be heard from inside the funeral home, as mourners embraced each other.
One mourner, Li'amanaia, said Fa'anānā was an important member of his community.
"Efeso gave his all, and he gave his wisdom and shared it with our community," he said.
"I think, right now, the family needs that community to support the wife and their beautiful two daughters."
He said Fa'anānā left behind a lasting legacy.
"His legacy lives on," Li'amanaia said
"He left some really big shoes that no one can fill."
Another mourner remembered F'anānā for his sense of humour.
"Every time you give him a mic to go on stage, he was one person that he would make you laugh, and laugh, and laugh, and laugh," he said.
"He was just a god-gifted person, and we are very sad, very saddened to hear that he is gone."
Over the weekend, multiple fake profiles appeared on Facebook impersonating Fa'anānā and advertising livestream links.
A spokesperson for Tipene Funerals said there were community pages set up to share grief, but any impersonating Fa'anānā were a hoax.
The road around the funeral home has been closed, and will remain so for the three days leading up to the funeral on Thursday.