Friends are remembering New Zealand Green Party MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins, a year after he died during an Auckland charity event.
Fa'anānā collapsed while participating in a charity run aimed at supporting local Pacific communities. He is survived by his wife, Vasa Fia Collins, and their two young daughters.
Fa'anānā was born and raised in South Auckland's Otara, with his parents having migrated from Samoa to New Zealand.
Fa'anānā Efeso Collins who died suddenly one year ago. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A dedicated advocate for the marginalised and the chairperson of the Otara local board, Fa'anānā was remembered at his funeral last year as a compassionate champion for the Samoan and South Auckland communities.
Mariner Fagaiava won the charity event a year ago, but said that morning brings him "great sorrow".
Fagaiava regrets not expressing how much Fa'anānā meant to him as a mentor and friend during their last phone call.
"I haven't fully processed what happened; it unfolded so quickly," he said.
"I think back to that day; [Fa'anānā's wife] Fia was absent, and it would have been considerate to delay releasing that news until his family could receive it first.
"Winning was incredible, but then the news cameras arrived, and we found ourselves bombarded with media attention; in that moment, my heart went out to Fa'anānā's wife and daughters. I did my best to connect with them through mutual friends.
Photo: Nick Monro
"I want to send all my love to them; he was a part of everyone's lives but ultimately was a devoted husband and father. I believe his legacy continues through them."
Friends of Fa'anānā are still grappling with the impact of his loss.
Lotu Fuli, a councillor for Manukau, was mentored by Fa'anana and values their shared memories from high school and university.
"There's truly no one like Fa'anana," she said. "He loved Fia and their daughters immensely, and she has the backing of our entire community.
"I've been going through old photographs, sharing and resharing them. I've known Fe since our days at Tangaroa College, and this past year has been tough without him in our community.
"It's hard to speak of him in the past tense; it feels as if he's still with us, such was his influence on our lives."
Fa'anānā was an advocate for community groups, particularly the queer community, which Seuta'afili Dr Patrick Thomsen, a senior researcher at the University of Auckland, noted. He helped Fa'anānā deepen his understanding of the rainbow Pacific community he actively supported.
Photo: Nick Monro
Seuta'afili described Fa'anānā as the perfect role model to address recent divides.
"He was a unique individual; everyone has their strengths and talents, and his was uniting our community.
Photo: Nick Monro
"What I admired about him was his approach to engaging with communities. He held meaningful conversations and was genuinely open-hearted.
"The developments in the country were ongoing, but he exemplified someone raised in a conservative environment who actively sought to learn about different perspectives and embraced them."
Councillor Josephine Bartley remembered collaborating with Fa'anānā on local labour committees and acknowledged how much his presence was missed in challenging times for Aotearoa.
"He transcended politics and council discussions, and that absence is felt now more than ever."
Photo: Nick Monro
A memorial mural for Fa'anānā is nearing completion in Manukau, with a blessing service scheduled for Monday.
