Election 2023 - Getting Candid: Efeso Collins, Green Party candidate for Panmure-Ōtāhuhu

​Welcome to Getting Candid, our political candidate series highlighting the Pacific politicians running in Election 2023.

Basic bio info:

What's your age? 49
Which suburb do you live in? Ōtāhuhu
How many children do you have? Two
What's your ethnic background? Samoan, Tokelauan

What made you want to get into politics?

Local advocacy is very important to me and with many years experience in tertiary education, youth work, local government and owning a small business, I want to continue representing the voices of our community. For nearly 10 years I represented this community at Auckland Council and know that we need people who will speak up and not just do as they’re told. We need strong and courageous advocates standing for our community.

What's your plan or strategy to win a seat?

Meeting people in person is the key to gaining their trust and confidence. I am well known in the community as I grew up here, attended local schools and am with my wife, are raising our family in the area. So our plan is to be out in the community meeting people at their doorsteps, ringing them and interacting with them at local markets, sports games and cafes. People have invited me into the homes, churches and sports-clubs to talk about the election and our plans as the Green Party to address inequality and protect the environment.

Who inspires you?

My parents have been my greatest inspiration as people who came to NZ from Samoa seeking better life opportunities. Their tenacity and courage in having to learn a new language, adapt to a new (often colder) climate and work long hours gave me an example of hard work, focus and vision. I have long admired the writing of Philip Yancey who deals with the deep issues of pain, humanity and meaning.

What are the key issues facing people in your area?

In all my conversations with locals, the recurring themes of our discussions are the cost of living, housing, food insecurity and wanting more for their children. This electorate has one of the highest levels of rental accommodation and low paid employment. With high living costs coupled with low paying jobs, family budgets are constantly squeezed and this creates huge challenges for families. The Greens income guarantee, renters rights and free dental policies are just some of the key ways to immediately address these concerns.

What's your favourite place to eat or get a drink in your area?

Try it out in Ōtāhuhu​; Alexander Cafe in Ōtara, The Cafe with no name in Panmure

What's your message to the voters in your electorate or those that you're targeting for the party vote?

Born and raised in Ōtara. Attended East Tamaki Primary School, Ferguson Intermediate and Tangaroa College. Hold Masters degree in Education from University of Auckland. Currently live in Ōtāhuhu, married with two daughters.​

​This is a pivotal election where we have the choice to genuinely ease the cost of living, address inequality and take bold steps to protect our environment and climate change. By giving 2 ticks to Efeso Collins and the Green Party you’ll ensure that there is strong climate advocacy in the next term of parliament. We have to think of the future and the world we will leave for our children and grandchildren. We can all have enough to eat, live in a warm home and thrive in life and it would be my privilege to continue to serve the community as your local MP and part of the wider Green Party whanau.