Fa’anānā Efeso Collins
27 May 1974 to 21 February 2024
Former TSCF student, Board member and Vice President
I met Efeso in the early nineties when he was leader the 100 strong Pacific Students for Christ who congregated at the University of Auckland’s (UoA) Maclaurin Chapel. I was visiting as TSCF ‘General Secretary.’ Efeso led the worship, gave the Bible message and drew in others with his warmth, charisma and smile. We have been friends ever since.
Efeso was a visionary who paved the way for the emergence of Pacific Christians meeting on Campus. In 1998 he accepted my invitation to join other Kiwi’s at the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) World Assembly in Seoul. Dressed in a lavalava Efeso taught 400 delegates from over 120 countries that prayerful ditty ‘Jesus is the winner man.’ In the years that followed Efeso became a significant leader in TSCF. He led the worship at two national conferences (1998 and 2000) before lengthy spells on both the TSCF board (2010s) and the fellowship’s advisory committee (2020s).
In early 2023 Efeso and I worked together (pic) to review the Wilberforce Foundation Scholarship Program. He was the first Pacific man to receive a scholarship (2011). Since then, over 180 scholars, largely Pacific and Māori students, have benefited from this fund to complete theological studies.
Efeso’s leadership skills also drew him into public office. He was the first Pacific president of Auckland University Students’ Association (1999), and his subsequent work for the UoA focused on the support of young Pacific men and women. Efeso entered local body politics in 2013 and he soon (2016) began serving as an Auckland City Councillor. In October 2023 Efeso was elected to parliament as a Green list MP. He announced ‘I have come to this House to help’, in his maiden speech. I believe Efeso could do that!
Sadly, for his family, the Christian church, Parliament and all New Zealander’s Efeso was called home earlier this year. He died as he lived – giving to others, when he collapsed at a charity event while carrying water to emphasize the need for clean water in the Pacific Islands.
Efeso leaves his daughters Kaperiela and Asalemo in the care of his beloved wife Fia and their respective families. Together they have lost a wonderful father, husband, brother and uncle. We have lost a humble, gifted and forthright leader, the likes of whom are rarely seen. Rest in peace brother!
Andrew Saunders, TSCF Vice President