Fa’anānā Efeso Collins: Public memorial for late Green MP attracts massive crowds in Auckland
Top politicians, former rugby stars and foreign government representatives are all among the many hundreds of mourners gathered to farewell Fa’anānā Efeso Collins at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, South Auckland.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti are among the guests, which include Sir Michael Jones, Tama Potaka, Gerry Brownlee, Karen Chhour, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, the entire Green Party caucus, including Lawrence Xu-Nan who replaces Collins as an MP, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, among other dignitaries.
A crowd of more than 2000 people gathered inside the venue to farewell the late Green MP, known as Fes to his closest friends, who collapsed and died after a ChildFund charity event in downtown Auckland last week.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER THE LIVE BLOG
Efeso Collins funeral passing Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Junior School
Bailey Brannon
Efeso Collins funeral passing Tangaroa College in Ōtara
Bailey Brannon
Bailey Brannon
Powerful haka performed by Tangaroa College, hearse departs
Natasha Gordon
A powerful haka has just been performed as the hearse carrying Fa’anānā left the centre.
Students from the MP’s old school, Tangaroa College, were emotional and fierce as they paid tribute in haka to Fa’anānā, who was the head boy at the college in the early 90s.
Deputy head boy Seyliann Siafolau, who led the haka, said it was an emotional day for them.
“His name is marked up on the walls, with all the other head prefects. It’s emotional.”
The 17-year-old said he met Fa’anānā at a school event and was presented a special civic services badge by the late MP.
The youngster, who is due to join the Navy next year, said the MP had given him his phone number, in case he needed it one day.
Speaking about Fa’anānā’s impact on young South Aucklanders, Seyliann said: “He just inspired me to be my best.”
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Following refreshments, Fa’anānā Efeso Collins will depart Due Drop Event Centre and begin his journey to acknowledge the following places:
-Tangaroa College
-Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Junior School
-Otara Rugby League Football Club and-Otara Town Centre
The hearse will stop for a moment at each venue.
There’s no words that can express how grateful we are for the love and support at this time.
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Funeral service comes to an end, choir takes to the stage
Natasha Gordon
The service is now coming to an end, with the choir taking to the stage for the last time.
The crowd has just been told that Fa’anānā that he will be taken through the streets of Otara and Otāhuhu one last time.
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Father Martin said Fa’anānā was a popular figure at Kaperiela’s school and as a young priest, he sometimes used humour to try to connect with the congregation during Mass.
He said if Fa’anānā was attending Mass, he would sometimes look to see his reaction and if he saw a big smile, he knew he was doing OK.
There were laughs when Father Martin said so he felt disappointed when he heard during the MP’s maiden speech that his favourite part of Mass was the end.
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The final benediction is now being given by Father Martin Wu, from Otāhuhu Catholic.
'Fa’anānā, goodbye': Rev Unasa speaks, service nears it end
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Rev Unasa spoke about the young MP’s ability to accept and bring in people irrespective of their background, denomination or class.
“For Efeso, in life and in death, there is room for everyone.
“Although Efeso’s life was short-lived, it was a glimpse…And yet, it was enough.
“Fa’anānā Efeso was a gift to us.”
Pausing to look up towards the casket, Rev Unasa said: “Fa’anānā, goodbye.”
We are nearing the end of the service now and a video montage of photos of the late MP and his family and friends is now being played.
'Our eternal Valentine': Wife makes emotional end to her eulogy
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Speaking in Samoan, Vasa Fia asked the community to forgive her husband for any wrongdoings.
Ending her she acknowledged her husband and called him: “Our now, our eternal Valentine.”
In his maiden speech, a day after Valentine’s Day, Fa’anānā referred to his daughters and joked that he would be their Valentine forever because they were not allowed to marry until they were 50.
The late MP’s wife also humbly asked that the public let them lay their loved one to rest privately tomorrow.
Wife pays emotional tribute to Efeso Collins, speaks about his impact on their daughters
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In recent years, Collins had worked hard to lose weight and live healthier so he could be there for their girls.
“Hon, thank you for making every second count.”
He loved to take their daughters to school, he loved playing with them. He taught them to pray.
“His maiden speech is a call to action…to call out injustices.”
“Fes died serving others,” she said, becoming emotional.
She urged people not to let his work go to waste.
“He made me a better woman and drew out the best in me - but he did that for everyone.”
He brought peace, forgiveness and love into very difficult spaces, Vasa Fia said.
“He was the very best of us.”
As their mum speaks, Kaperiela holds her little sister, Asalemo, 3, who offers a kiss to her older sister at one point.
Speaking to her daughters, Vasa Fia said: “I’m so proud of you both - and daddy would be too.”
She said they had shared their father in life. And in death, they were sharing him again because this was his legacy.
'An ordinary woman who married an extraordinary man': Late MP’s wife makes heartbreaking tribute
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Vasa Fia Collins starts off with a word of scripture acknowledging that God is here in this moment and in the room.
Greeting those who have gathered, she says: “I am an ordinary woman who married an extraordinary man.”
She said “Fes” had given her her greatest treasures - their girls.
She said she knew early on that she would have to share her husband with many others.
“Fes was born to lead. If you knew him, you’d know that he always tried to discreetly enter spaces and sit at the back.”
“He treated me like a queen every single moment we were together.
“A true gentleman - always serving our needs before his own.”
She paid tribute to an excellent listener and moved with urgency, humility and empathy.
She said he had connections with many different people.
It was hard to ignore someone like him - even physically, a tall brown man with a beautiful smile.
She said her husband fought hard.
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The late MP’s wife and two young daughters are now on stage.
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Friend Indira Moala-Stewart praises Collins and his imapct on Pacific media
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Moala-Stewart shared how Fa’anānā was always generous to the media and was a huge advocate to our Pasifika community.
A Pacific media delegation visited Tīpene Funerals earlier this week.
“In a rare show of unity, we stood together. Because we know…we have lost one of the most impactful voices of our generation.”
The late MP is also a former broadcaster, having worked as a radio host for the Pacific Media Network for a number of years.
Moala-Stewart talks about the sii alofa taken on Monday from different media organisations.
“So far was the impact of Efeso Collins on the media landscape.”
“He also helped to usher in the next generation of pacific storytellers.”
“What many don’t know is he used to one of us, he used to work for Pacific Media Network.”
“He has been a huge advocate for the pacific community.”
“Like many of you know, he was the king of mocks.”
The crowd applaused at the impact of Fa’anānā’s political career well before he made his maiden speech in Parliament.
“He was tall, he was brown and loved to wear hoodies.”
“More of our Pacific people need to vote,” says Moala-Stewart.
“He wanted our Pacific people to be better represented in our democracy.”
She continues saying we need to take inventory of our behaviour and how we treat others.
Stewart also commented on the spirit of church when ushered into today’s service.
“We have lost one of the most impactful voices of our generation,” she suggested he had had “a greater impact on the ground” than most politicians achieve in a lifetime in parliament, “And he did that before even reaching parliament.” Many speakers have outlined his community service and the care with which he looked after others
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Pacific journalist and friend Indira Moala-Stewart is now paying tribute.
'He was the best of us': Deputy chair for the Māngere-Otāhuhu Local Board speaks
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Te’o, deputy chair for the Māngere-Otāhuhu Local Board, he said Fa’anānā always treated everyone absolutely equally - whether you were Prime Minister Chris Luxon in Koru Lounge or the cleaner or the waitress at Denny’s.
Te’o said when news broke thatFa’anānāhad collapsed, he had “all the mocks lined up” to share later with his old mate.
When he made mistakes, his friend demonstrated grace.
“Thank you, brother.”
“His true mark of leadership was not what he achieved.”
What truly marked that leadership was the succession and the people that have followed.
“Man, he was the best of us.
“But if you think Fes is the best, wait til the next generation comes up.”
That sentence resulted in a big applause.
Te’o said he was going to give “a dig” to the politicians as it’s not an election year.
But he acknowledged all the political leaders present and the sometimes difficult times they and their families faced.
He quoted his old principal Phil Raffills, at Avondale: “when you go to the top, make sure you take someone with you.” Fes “was a door opener” for others to walk through.
Jokes shared by Fa’anānā’s friends, crowd erupts with laughter
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Mary Brown drew laughter from the crowd when she said she had a poem to share in honour of her friend.
“E is for egg.”
“Nah seriously, E is for earnest. Egg is what Fia used to call him,” she laughed.
“Sorry I didn’t have a poem ready…five…five is the minutes I have before I cry ugly” says Te’o Harry Toleafoa who begins his speech.
The congregation are laughing at the jokes shared from Fa’anānā’s friends.
'Always walked the talk': Old friend Mary Brown speaks
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Mary Brown said of her mate: “Fes just wanted us to be better. He would listen without judgment.
“And he always walked the talk.”
Brown has a friendship that spans over twenty years with lots of laughing, she says.
“It’s important to acknowledge the impact on my life and the life of others .”
“My first impression of Fes was woah that’s a pretty big guy cause he was tall,” says Brown who first met Fa’anānā at the University of Auckland quad.
“Choose good friends Mary because you are who you hang with,” says Brown when remembering a quote her father said.
“Good friendships are a precious gift that enhance our lives.”
Brown says her friendship with Fa’anānā was low maintenance.
She recalls a memory about them joining a tv game show. “Do you really really need me Webster” says Fa’anānā.
“Yes, let’s be unco together” says Brown.
“I never ever took his friendship for granted… he would listen without judgement and always offer support without conditions.”
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Three of the late MP’s friends are now on stage to speak.
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Taito introduces South Auckland singing group Adeaze to perform the song “The Lord is my Light.”
The atmosphere amidst the congregation echoes the beautiful singing. It is emotional and beautiful.
'Change that Aotearoa deserves': Marama Davidson expresses her heartbreak
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Marama Davidson said there has never been a speech she has never wanted to give more than this.
But this is also a huge honour, she said.
Davidson turned to blow a kiss to her party who are standing behind her in support before starting her speech.
“Our 15 MPs are all here,” she said.
Their own families were also here to express their heartbreak and to share aroha towards Fa’anānā’s family.
She said his whānau was always his “constant bullseye”.
Acknowledging his daughters and wife Vasa Fia, she said: “He lived for the power of Pacific women.”
Davidson said Fa’anānā was proud of his Pacific roots and worked hard to not only represent them but also to fight for them.
She also acknowledged the Labour Party and the relationship he had with many on that side of the house.
“Efeso was a part of the change that Aotearoa deserves,” says Davidson.
“You are brilliant in your intelligence, humour, activism and generosity…my friend, my brother Fes, what I wouldn’t give to hug you close right now, even just one more time you beautiful man. I love you always,” says Davidson.
Davidson also extended her love to Fa’anānā’s wife and daughters and concluded her speech. The Green Party sang a waiata in union after Davidson’s speech.
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Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is due to speak next.
The Greens have all taken to the stage as Davidson speaks.
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Samoan-Kiwi gospel singer Annie Grace is now singing It Is Well.
'Born to impact the world': Millie Collins-Faoagali shares her personal memories of Efeso
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His sister says he was spontaneous helping others and refers to the memory of starting the mentor program “Dream Fono” through the University of Auckland.
“He comes to me with a budget of $750 dollars. Millie I need a cook, you do it at home. You’re good at it.”
$750 for 80 people for five days when talking to his sister about cooking for dream Fono.
“If you can say I can do it, let’s do it.”
“Do we have enough food, another 40 just arrived.”
“We started dream Fono and there was only three of us in the kitchen.”
She says that Fa’anānā has a way of making you think you can do it. “We did it and we did it every year after that.”
“Born to impact the world , born to lead through service.”
“The wonderful thing about Efeso is that he took the time for each of us.”
“Fa’anānā as the world knows you but to us you were Fes or Efeso.”
“I know right now that you are talking to Dad and Tom…”
'Mum and dad’s sunshine': Sister makes touching tribute
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Millie Collins-Faoagali starts her eulogy with her voice cracking with emotion.
“Weighing in at ten pound, he is the heart and joy of his mum and dad…raised by a humble taxi driver and hard working mother.”
His sister continues to spell out his name and describe her brother.
“E is for extravagant… an extravagant lover of life to laugh and give. Raised by a charismatic dad and hard working mother. Our family’s golden boy.”
“F is for faithful…”
“E… extraordinary”
“S … I had to put in two words , he’s spontaneous and sunshine. He was my mum and dads sunshine. To his family and friends he was a superstar.”
'Until we meet in the clouds': Late MP’s siblings share family memories with the crowd
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The late MP’s siblings are now speaking.
One of his sisters Jemimah-Solo Collins is sharing a few family memories of their brother, who was known as the baby of the family, given he was the youngest.
When he was born, he weighed more than 10 pounds and was fair and bright hair. Some of their family members wondered for a while where this afakasi (half-caste) baby came from, she laughed.
From a young age, her brother enjoyed watching the news rather than programmes more suited to children his age.
Their father, who was a taxi driver, was also an encyclopedia salesman at one point. As a result, her little brother has always loved trivia too.
“We didn’t have much growing up in Otara, but we were raised with an abundance of love and that made us pretty rich,” she said.
“There are countless stories,” she said.
She acknowledged the love their family had received since his death - from all parts of the community and society.
She also talked about his love for God and the unwavering faith he had.
“Efeso knew his Saviour.”
Nearing the end of her eulogy, his sister, emotional, bid her brother - who she nicknamed Boppa - farewell, saying: “Manuia lau malaga, Boppa. Until we meet in the clouds.”
Smiles and laughs fill the packed arena
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It is a celebratory feeling inside the arena, as the crowd is invited to stand and sing in worship.
There is clapping and people singing, some emotional and raising their hands to the sky.
There are laughs as the family spokesman says after the song: “For some of you, you’ve been taken to church for the first time thanks to Efeso.”
'Go for gold': Praise and worship team takes to the stage
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Reverend Unasa Uesifili Unasa is now on stage, saying a prayer.
“Lord, help us not to be overcome by the complexities of this moment.
“Give us clarity of mind and singleness of heart.
“Where others see complexity, we see clearly. Where others are overwhelmed, we may be sustained.”
As the praise and worship team takes to the stage, the crowd is told that if they don’t have a very good voice, be like Efeso and: “Pick whatever key you want and go for gold.”
Luxon is swaying slightly and singing along to the gospel song, while Reti is tapping his feet to the beat of the music.
'Indescribable feeling': Family spokesman Taito Eddie makes heartfelt tribute
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Family spokesman Taito Eddie Tuiavii is giving a formal Samoan greeting to those gathered to say goodbye.
He is also paying tribute to Fa’anānā and the people and villages he hails from.
Taito is acknowledging their brother and son’s death and the help his wife and daughters were to him in his many responsibilities.
Taito, referring to Fa’anānā’s maiden speech, said he had started off the English part of his speech with saying it was an indescribable feeling.
“Today…it is an indescribable feeling to be standing here with a profound sadness and a broken heart as we come together to mourn the loss of our champion,” Taito said.
Almost breaking into tears as he did.
There is laughter as the family spokesman says his old friend would probably be laughing now knowing he now has to share to everyone what needs to be done and where to go in the event of an emergency.
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The auditorium has 2500 seats about 2300 have filled the room.
Maiden speech played, service begins
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Fa’anānā’s wife and daughters, as well as his mother, are wearing the puletasi (island dresses) they wore just over a week ago in Wellington, when Fa’anānā said his maiden speech.
Little Asalemo - being held by a young relative - was spotted pointing to different photos as the montage played out.
Part of that speech has just been played on the speakers.
A special poem is being said by acclaimed Tongan poet Karlo Mila.
Poem ends “Whetūrangitia. You become the ancestor we always knew you were.” (The word means “stars that adorn the sky” and also refers to unexpected death)
Silence as the late MP’s young family walk in
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Fa’anānā’s family, including his elderly mother Lotomau Collins, wife Vasa Fia and young daughters Kaperiela and Asalemo, are now being brought in.
There is silence as the late MP’s young family walk in.
A lone voice - calling out in te reo - pierces the silence.
Vasa Fia and her young daughters, aged 11 and 3, are wearing matching green elei (patterned) puletasi.
Little Asalemo has a small teddy in her arms.
A montage of photos is now being shown on a large screen - showing different groups of friends and aiga (family) of Fa’anānā.
There are tears among the crowd as the montage is playing, accompanied to a song “One More Time” by Samoan-American gospel group Katinas.
Christopher Luxon arrives
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has just arrived.
He is accompanied by Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.
'He was going to go a long way': High profile Samoan politician mourns Collins
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One of Samoa’s most high profile politicians is among the mourners.
La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt told the Herald: “I’m here to honour such a great man - one of the sons of Samoa. He has done a lot to showcase the Samoan people to New Zealanders in the political arena.”
La’auli - who has been in politics for about 25 years - said he had been following Fa’anānā’s political career for many years.
“I knew he was going to go a long way. I knew he was going to make it - I had no doubt when I met him.”
La’auli said he had travelled to New Zealand to be here on behalf of the Samoan people in the motherland and wanted to personally pass on condolences to Fa’anānā’s family.
He said Fa’anānā represented what Pacific and Samoan youth could be if they put in the hard work.
“He’s an encouragement to our people.”
Warnings of fake livestream links to Efeso Collins funeral on Facebook
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An Auckland councillor and friend of Fa’anānā Efeso Collins has urged people not to fall for fake livestream links to his funeral on Facebook.
Josephine Bartley said on Tuesday she had spoken to a church minister in Auckland who had lost money in the scam. She was worried others were falling for it.
Her warning comes after Tipene Funerals, which is organising the funeral for Collins, has warned of fake Facebook pages.
The service - which starts at 1pm - will be livestreamed; with the official livestream hosted on the Tagata Pasifika Plus website. You can also watch the livestream at the top of this page, as you follow the live updates on nzherald.co.nz
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Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau.
South Auckland secondary schools honour and pay respect
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Some of the secondary schools in attendance include Pacific Advanced Secondary School (PASS). Parehuia Enari, the principal of PASS secondary school in Otahuhu says.
Through Sir Michael Jones, the school has a long-standing relationship with Fa’anānā.
“Because we are in the heart of South Auckland, whatever Efeso has done for South Auckland impacts on us as a community. So you know we are deeply saddened by his loss, by the loss of his family. We are just here to honour and pay respect.”
“We talked to them (the students) about how he at a very young age, at high-school, he was a young leader in his school and in his university days as well.”
'A good man': Luxon makes Fa’anānā Efeso Collins tribute
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The Green Party arrives dressed in green
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The Green Party has arrived - wearing green traditional Samoan puletasi (dress) for the women and island shirts for the men.
Family enter the auditorium, gospel fills the room
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Fa’anānā’s family is entering the auditorium now as the gospel choir sings “we worship you, hallelujah, hallelujah”. It’s hot, fans are being waved everywhere in the crowd.
The coffin sits centre stage, with an enormous display of white roses on top.
Labour MPs led by Carmel Sepuloni and Barbara Edmond have brought in a large white cloth embroidered in silver.
Swarms of people enter the memorial service
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Fa’anānā’s family wear green to celebrate his life
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Some of Fa’anānā’s family are wearing green lei’s. Carolina Filipo who is first cousins with Fa’anānā through their dads being brothers, says they’re wearing green ula’s (necklaces) to represent Fa’anānā. It was his sister Millie’s idea.
“He was full on for the Greens. We thought we’d wear green lei’s to represent him. Not so much the party but the colour. It’s just our way to stand out as a family from the crowd.”
Mourners gather to farewell Fa’anānā Efeso Collins
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There are all sorts of people here; including representatives from the MP’s old schools, community groups and members of the South Auckland and Pasifika communities.
One group is decked in green flower lei, likely acknowledging Fa’anānā’s connection to the Green Party.
Despite it being a funeral memorial service, in true island style, many are wearing colourful island dress and traditional wear from various Pacific nations - including Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
It is very much a colourful affair and now gospel music can be heard from inside the centre.
The public is now being allowed into the building.
Swarms of people are filing in now.
As members of the public walk through, the praise and worship team’s rehearsal inside - blasting beautiful gospel songs - has helped to lift any grief and sadness among the crowd.
There is a sense of celebration of life.
Chris Hipkins arrives, turnout for service grows
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Members of the Labour Party, led by leader Chris Hipkins, have just arrived and are being led into the centre to be seated.
The service is not due to start for another hour and a half, but already the lines outside are snaking up towards the road.
Funeral hearse arrives
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The hearse carrying the body of the late Greens MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins has arrived.
Hundreds arrive at the public memorial service for Fa’anānā Efeso Collins
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Hundreds of people have already started to arrive at the public memorial service for Fa’anānā Efeso Collins being held at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau.
Members of the public including elderly, children and several school groups are among those waiting outside to be let into the centre.
Traffic warning on key Auckland road ahead of funeral
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Auckland Transport is warning motorists that they should expect disruption on a key south Auckland road today due to Efeso Collins' funeral.
It says a lane will be closed on Gt South Rd from 9am - 6pm between the Southwestern Motorway and Kerrs Rd.
The lane closure and funeral traffic is expected to impact the afternoon peak, warns AT.
Long-time friend Indira Stewart sings at wake
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Flags on Parliamentary precinct at half-mast today
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People prepare flowers ahead of service
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Flowers begin to pile up outside Tipene Funerals where Efeso Collins has been lying in state.
STORY CONTINUES
Efeso’s wife Vasa Fia Collins took to the stage with her two young daughters.
“I am an ordinary woman who married an extraordinary man,” she said.
She said “Fes” had given her her greatest treasures - their girls.
She said she knew early on that she would have to share her husband with many others.
”Fes was born to lead. If you knew him, you’d know that he always tried to discreetly enter spaces and sit at the back.
“He treated me like a queen every single moment we were together.
”A true gentleman _ always serving our needs before his own.”
He brought peace, forgiveness and love into difficult spaces, Vasa Fia said.
”He was the very best of us.”
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson also spoke at the memorial.
“Our 15 MPs are all here,” she said.
Acknowledging his daughters and wife Vasa Fia, she said: “He lived for the power of Pacific women.”
She also acknowledged the Labour Party and the relationship he had with many on that side of the house.
“Efeso was a part of the change that Aotearoa deserves,” Davidson said.
“You are brilliant in your intelligence, humour, activism and generosity … my friend, my brother Fes, what I wouldn’t give to hug you and close right now, even just one more time you beautiful man. I love you always.”
The late MP’s siblings also spoke.
Nearing the end of her eulogy, his sister, Jemimah-Solo Collins, bid her brother - whom she nicknamed Boppa - farewell, saying: “Manuia lau malaga, Boppa. Until we meet in the clouds.”
‘I’m here to honour a great man’
One of Samoa’s and the Pacific’s most well-known politicians, La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt and his wife Heather Tupea Schmidt, are also among the mourners in Auckland today.
La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt told the Herald: “I’m here to honour such a great man - one of the sons of Samoa. He has done a lot to showcase the Samoan people to New Zealanders in the political arena.”
La’auli - who has been in politics for about 25 years - said he had been following Fa’anānā's political career for many years.
”I knew he was going to go a long way. I knew he was going to make it - I had no doubt when I met him.”
La’auli said he had travelled to New Zealand to be here on behalf of the Samoan people in the motherland and wanted to personally pass on condolences to Fa’anānā's family.
He said Fa’anānā represented what Pacific and Samoan youth could be if they put in the hard work.
“He’s an encouragement to our people.”
Members of the public including elderly, children and several school groups are among those attending the celebration of Efeso Collins’ life.
Green Party members arrived wearing green traditional Samoan puletasi (dress) for the women and island shirts for the men.
The service was scheduled to start at 1pm, but by 11am there were already long queues to enter the venue, as mourners lined up to pay their respects. By 1pm, the venue, which sits 2500 people, was packed.
It has been a week since Green Party MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, 49, collapsed and died after a ChildFund charity event in downtown Auckland.
Traffic management was set to be in place in the area until 6pm Thursday.
Auckland Transport has warned motorists that they should expect disruption on a key south Auckland road today due to Efeso Collins’ funeral. It said a lane will be closed on Gt South Rd from 9am - 6pm between the Southwestern Motorway and Kerrs Rd. The closure and funeral traffic was expected to impact the afternoon peak, warned AT.
It was an emotional service for many, but also one that brought lots of laughter and joy from memories and stories shared by family, friends, colleagues and people connected to the late MP over the years.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is among the dignitaries attending the service; as well as members of the Green Party, Labour Party, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, the Samoan High Commissioner to New Zealand, the US consul general, Auckland Council members and community Pacific leaders.
Collins family spokesman Taito Eddie Tuiavii said with large numbers of people anticipated to attend the service, people were encouraged to arrive early.
Earlier reporting:
The service - which starts at 1pm - will be livestreamed; with the official livestream hosted on the Tagata Pasifika Plus website, according to the family spokesman and Tīpene Funerals.
There have been warnings throughout the week about fake Facebook profile pages pretending to be livestream links in an attempt to scam people into transferring money to watch.
Traffic management will be in place in various parts of the city, including in and around Onehunga, where Fa’anānā has been lying in state this week.
After the memorial service, the hearse carrying the late MP’s casket will drive through parts of Ōtara - where he grew up - and Ōtāhuhu, where he lived with wife Vasa Fia and their two young daughters, Kaperiela, 11, and 3-year-old Asalemo.
It is understood the late MP will pass a number of his old schools and town centres he frequented.
A police spokesman said they are aware of the proceedings and will be on hand to help, if needed.
“We understand there will be a large number of people in attendance. Police are in contact with family representatives to understand plans to provide advice on any health and safety implications.”
MP’s old college adjusts classes in honour of former head boy
Tangaroa College, where Fa’anānā was head boy in 1991, is adjusting its normal school day so members of staff and the wider school community can attend.
In a message posted to the school’s Facebook page, principal Chris Bean acknowledged Fa’anānā's continued connection to the school, its staff and students.
“Efeso had a love and passion for Tangaroa College and supported us in many initiatives that helped us and our students.
“Efeso never forgot his roots and always gave back. It is important for us to be at this service to honour this man, support his whānau and acknowledge his strong connection to Tangaroa College.”
Students will be allowed to work from home or attend school, as normal, and be supervised by teaching staff staying behind.
ChildFund raises nearly $50,000 in week of MP’s death
Meanwhile, the charity that Fa’anānā was helping to raise funds for when he died last week has raised almost $50,000 in donations.
The MP was among a small group of Kiwi celebrities helping to raise funds for ChildFund, which has several projects that aim to provide clean drinking water to children around the Pacific region.
Chief executive Josie Pagani, who is also a friend of Fa’anānā's, said she had spent the first few days after the event in shock.
“On the day, people were so shocked and looking for some way of expressing their grief and showing support for the causes and the principles and values he represented.
“So people have gone to the ChildFund page and thought: ‘I’ve got to donate something here’. It was amazing.”
A GiveALittle page for Fa’anānā's two daughters has also been set up and has so far raised almost $25,000.
A private funeral service for the late MP will be held on Friday.
Vaimoana Mase is the Pasifika editor for the Herald’s Talanoa section, sharing stories from the Pacific community. She won junior reporter of the year at the then Qantas Media Awards in 2010 and picked up the best opinion writing award at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards.