First time Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins with his wife at a polling booth. Photo: Supplied/ Fa'anānā Efeso Collins
A pillar of the Pacific community, Fa'anānā Efeso Collins' life is being mourned and his legacy remembered.
The 49-year-old Samoan Tokelauan leader and Greens MP has been described by Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni as someone who embodied the Samoan proverb: 'o le ala i le pule o le tautua' - the pathway to leadership is through service.
Following last year's election results, Fa'anānā said he was 'elated and humbled' to make it into Parliament.
Fa'anānā collapsed while taking part in a charity event in central Auckland.
Pacific leaders say Fa'anānā was "a strong community advocate," known for serving the most vulnerable - especially within South Auckland.
RNZ Pacific's Eleisha Foon has more.
