Students from Tangaroa College in South Auckland performed a fierce haka for the late former head student and Green MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins.
Efeso was attending a charity event on the 21st of February, when he suddenly collapsed and passed away shortly after.
Over 2000 people gathered today at Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau to farewell Efeso, with a group of students from his former college showing a powerful display of respect.
“Efeso was our head boy in 1991,” Tangaroa College wrote yesterday. “He had a love and passion for [the college] and supported us in many initiatives that helped us and our students.”
“Efeso never forgot his roots and always gave back.”
During the funeral service, Efeso’s wife Vasa Fia Collins shared how “extraordinary” her husband was.
“I am an ordinary woman who married an extraordinary man,” she began.“He was the very best of us.”
“Fes was born to lead…A true gentleman always serving our needs before his own.”
Community leader Dave ‘Buttabean’ Letele, echoed this in his tribute to Efeso last week.
“We were doing what we can for our community, as we have been doing many times when our paths have crossed before,” Dave wrote on working alongside the MP the day he passed.
“Efeso died on a day he was busy giving back to others. This is not lost on me."
“Sending love to you my bro,” he continued. “We weren’t best friends, but we were friends. We didn’t agree on everything, but we were 100% aligned on seeking better outcomes for our people.”
Dave added: “I had the utmost respect for you stepping forward for our people. And, most importantly, I’m glad I was there for you today. Rest in love.”
Truly an extraordinary figure for our community here in Aotearoa. Rest in peace Efeso.
