The Samoan proverb E le tu fa'amauga se tagata — "Nobody stands alone" — reminds us that no one achieves success or faces struggles in isolation. We rise and fall together, supporting one another every step of the way.
A mantra shared by the late Son of South Auckland, Fa'anānā Efeso Collins who has had a mural installed in Manukau in his honour.
Over the past year, Eke Panuku have been exploring opportunities to install a new mural in the heart of Manukau City Centre as part of its programme to create a colourful, welcoming and family-friendly centre.
During these investigations, Eke Panuku was approached by renowned Mana Whenua mural artists Janine and Charles Williams, who are members of the local community and whose work adorn many spaces in South Auckland, with the idea of creating a portrait mural of Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, who was an early supporter of their talent.
Eke Panuku is continuing to explore opportunities for a Manukau City Centre mural to reflect the diverse cultures of the local community, it has been able to support the artists initiative by finding an appropriate location for the idea put forward by Janine and Charles Williams.
With support from Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and Fa’anānā Efeso Collins next of kin, his wife, and the artists have worked together to develop the design.
Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “A year ago, Fa’anānā Efeso Collins passed on suddenly, and people from across Aotearoa and the political spectrum recognised and commended his kindness, generosity, and passion for the Pacific community.
“Fa’anānā Collins was elected to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board in 2013, served as Chair, and then as an Auckland Councillor for the Manukau Ward for six years, between 2016 and 2022. At the time of his passing, he was a Member of Parliament after the 2023 elections. He spent his career advocating for equity, social justice, especially for South Auckland and Pacific communities and issues that mattered to them.
“In recognition of his extraordinary leadership, the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board has supported a portrait mural honouring the late Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, created by esteemed mural artists Janine and Charles Williams, on the Ronwood Ave Carpark Wall facing Manu-kau Noa Iho/Hayman Park.”
To coincide with the commemoration of the one-year anniversary of Fa’anānā Efeso Collins’ passing, the unveiling of the mural took place with an event.
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