Tributes are flowing after the shock death of Green MP Efeso Collins at an Auckland charity event this morning.
Paramedics rushed to treat the MP and former Auckland mayoral candidate at the ChildFund event at Britomart after he collapsed.
Staff at the event later confirmed the 49-year-old had passed away.
In a statement, Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw said they were "absolutely devastated".
"A beautiful family has lost a dedicated father, husband, and community leader.
"The news today has come as a profound shock to everyone, and our absolute priority is to Efeso's wife and young girls.
"Aotearoa and the Green Party have lost one of the kindest, most dedicated champions of fairness and equality."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was "truly shocked and saddened" by the news.
"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."
'A huge loss'
At the event, an emotional Dave Letele told 1News: "We're here for an amazing cause... and the bro was giving his time.
"It's just an incredibly sad day. I believe Efeso's impact was only just beginning now with the Green Party and being in Parliament.
"It's a huge loss for his family, his wife and New Zealand as a whole, especially our people."
He said Collins represented hope for many.
"Hope that it is possible to come from where we come from and be a success," Letele continued.
"He was always very good to me, even though we didn't always agree on things politically. We were friends.
"I always look to people like him as, again, aspiration to show what's possible."
In a post to Facebook, ChildFund, who organised the event where Collins died, said: “Our hearts are breaking”.
“Efeso joined us today at the ChildFund Water Run because he's driven to support the Pacific and because he believed in the cause.
“We spoke this morning about how hard it is to put yourself and family first when you commit to a life of service.
“Now he is gone suddenly. And our hearts are breaking for his wife Fia, his two girls, and his family.”
CEO Josie Pagani said the organisation was “deeply shocked and thinking only of his family at this time".
"It will take time to grasp the huge loss to Aotearoa New Zealand,” Pagani said.
“All we can do now is grieve.”
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said on X: "Thoughts are with Efeso Collins' family and friends with his untimely and tragic passing today."
In a statement, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the party was "devastated by Collins' death.
"Efeso was a member of the Labour Party for a long time and stood for the Party several times. I have deep respect for him and his politics and am saddened by the news today," he said.
"We connected because of shared values, a love for New Zealand as a country that supports and embraces all people."
Deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said the party's Pacific caucus was also in mourning.
"Many of us worked or studied with Efeso over several decades. Efeso was a passionate advocate for our community and a role model for the people of South Auckland and New Zealand's Pacific community," Sepuloni said.
"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.
"This has deeply affected us as a Labour Party, our Pacific caucus members and MPs across Parliament."
Collins still 'a member of our family' - Labour
Later appearing at a stand-up with reddened eyes, Hipkins said Collins was a "larger than life character" who he first met in 1999 when the latter was the president of the Auckland University Students' Association.
He said that initial meeting had Collins making a self-deprecating joke and then "holding the room captive with his oratory".
"I remember at the time looking at him and thinking, 'he's going to go a long way, he's someone to watch'."
Hipkins said Collins' working life had shown that to be true.
He said Collins, who was for a long time involved in the Labour party, did not have a "tribal political allegiance in the way many of us do" but was clear on his values.
Hipkins said it was a tragedy he had died just after entering Parliament where he would have made an "enormous contribution", but said he had already done that in his career to date.
"He was a passionate advocate for Pasifika New Zealanders [and] the South Auckland community that he was... so proud to be a part of."
Sepuloni spoke with a wavering voice and said the Pacific caucus, wider Pacific community and herself felt "shock and sadness" over Collins' death but it would be felt most keenly by his wife and daughters.
"His voice, his advocacy, was one of the strongest, I believe, in Aotearoa, with regards to the Pacific community.
"He was a member of the Labour Party for a long time. The way we see it, he moved out of our fale and into the Greens', but he was only next door. But he was still, and is still, considered a member of our family."
She said Collins was a "big supporter" but would not shy away from criticising, which she said went "hand in hand" in Pasifika culture.
"That was the man that Efeso was and we respected him for that... he was never scared to say what was on his mind."
She said Collins had three priorities: God, his family, and service to the community.
Collins' last post on X, formerly Twitter, was expressing support for Labour's new finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds as a fellow Pacific leader.
Edmonds was asked about this but became overwhelmed with emotion before she could speak and was comforted by fellow MP Jenny Salesa.
Salesa said she knew Collins from university, having met him in 1991.
"We will really miss Efeso."
'Sad day for Auckland' - Former, past colleagues react
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, who Collins ran against in the 2022 mayoral election, said it was "a sad day for Auckland".
"He was a good man; my heart goes out to his family. Efeso is someone I had a lot of respect for.
"The former Manukau ward councillor will be greatly missed by the Governing Body, and many people across the wider council family.
"He was a bold Pacific leader and champion for South Auckland, as well as a fierce and respectful opponent on the campaign trail for the Auckland mayoralty.
"Although we competed for the mayoralty, we actually became quite good friends and were very respectful of each other."
Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson said: "We are reeling" from the sad news.
"Tāmaki Makaurau has lost a passionate and inspiring leader, whose contribution to local government and connection to the Auckland Council will forever be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences go to Fia and the girls, and their wider aiga, we are here for you.
"He will be remembered as a champion for Pasifika communities across Tāmaki Makaurau and a fierce advocate for those he represented in south Auckland. He was a truly good person and a valued colleague."
A former council colleague of Collins', Auckland councillor Richard Hills, said: "I don't want to believe it."
"His poor whānau. 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."
Leo Molloy, one of the candidates who ran against Collins in 2022's mayoral election, said: "Thoughts & prayers to Efeso Collins' family.
"I happened to attend today to support my dear friend Buttabean. I had a laugh with Efeso about politics and Wayne before they commenced.
"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."
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