Read the write-up of Efeso Collins, net worth, age, wife, children, height, family, parents, salary, mayor elections as well as other information you need to know.
Introduction
Fia Collins is a New Zealand politician’s wife. She is famous for being the wife of Efeso Collins who is an Auckland Councillor of Samoan and Tokelauan descent. Collins carries the Samoan matai title of Fa’anana from the village of Satufia, Satupaitea, Savai’i.
Early life
| Name | Efeso Collins |
| Wife | Fia Collins |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Age | 48 years |
| Height | 1.75m |
| Net worth | $1 million |
Fa’anānā Efeso Collins was born in 1974 (age 48) in the Auckland suburb of Ōtara, New Zealand. He was the youngest of 6 children. He attended East Tamaki Primary School and Ferguson Intermediate School. He briefly attended Auckland Grammar School before moving to Tangaroa College.
Collins later studied education at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1997 followed by a Master of Arts in 1999. He served as the first Polynesian Auckland University Students’ Association president. He was raised immersed in the church, with his father being a church minister in the Sāmoan Pentecostal movement for some time. He started his education at the University of Auckland – particularly a metaphysics paper – ‘helped me to start to open my eyes to difference.’
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His career spans education, research, business and the public sector. Collins has worked as an Adjunct Lecturer (School of Education, Laidlaw College), Achievement Facilitator (Faculty of Education, University of Auckland), Pasifika Education Advisor (Ministry of Education), Pasifika Youth Development Manager (Ministry of Social Development), and Community Liaison Advisor (University of Auckland).
Political career
Efeso Collins was elected to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and became its chairperson in the 2013 Auckland elections. He contested the Labour party candidate selection for the Manukau East seat before the 2014 general election, but ultimately Jenny Salesa was selected. At the 2016 Auckland elections, Collins was elected to the Auckland Council, replacing Arthur Anae, who did not seek re-election. He was sworn in as a councillor for the Manukau ward on 1 November 2016.
On 27 August 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Collins called for the New Zealand Government to grant an amnesty to people who had overstayed their visas in order to encourage members of the Pasifika community to come forward for COVID-19 tests. The then Health Minister Chris Hipkins had earlier reassured the Pasifika community that the Government would not use any in formation collected during testing for immigration purposes.
On 25 July 2021, Efeso Collins disclosed that he and his family had received a death threat on 19 June in response to his comments criticizing TVNZ’s Police Ten 7 programme for its negative depiction of the Māori and Pasifika communities. Despite the threats to him and his family, and the ‘deep sense of guilt’ he felt for exposing his family to the threat, Collins and his wife resolved to continue his involvement in politics.
2022 Auckland mayoral election
Efeso Collins announced in January 2022, that he would be running for Mayor of Auckland in the 2022 election. On 28 February 2022, the Labour Party announced that they would be endorsing Collins as their preferred candidate. On 15 March 2022, the Green Party announced its endorsement of Collins, a first for the party.
Political views
Efeso Collins is particularly concerned with climate change, public transport, housing and urban spaces. He backs fare-free public transport as “the first and best way” to address the city’s emissions. Although aligned with the Labour Party, he has veered from the party line on a number of occasions, such as opposing the Regional Fuel Tax on equity grounds and being a vocal supporter of the Ihumātao protest. During the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum, Collins opposed the legalization of cannabis; however, he supports its decriminalization.
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Collins has been vocal about his journey with faith and cultural values. He has stated, ‘Those of us who have come from really strict religious upbringings are journeying towards that position of liberal Western norms’. On abortion, Collins says, ‘I won’t get in the way of women and people who are pregnant making their own, deeply personal decisions. I too am on a journey of understanding and empathy and always open to listening to people’s diverse experiences and beliefs.’
Wife
Efeso Collins is married to Fia Collins, they had their wedding in the 2000s. His wife is a private person and has two daughters. As of 2022, Efeso and his wife Fia Collins are still married and living a happy life with their two children.
Efeso Collins net worth
How much is Efeso Collins worth? Efeso Collins net worth is estimated at around $1 million. Collins salary per month with other career earnings is over $400 thousand dollars annually. Efeso Collins stands at an appealing height of 1.75m and has a good body weight which suits her personality.