On Wednesday the 21st of February New Zealand was shocked to learn of the sudden passing of Greens MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins.
Efeso began his career as a youth worker before joining the Auckland Council as a councillor for the Manukau ward.
He later ran for Mayor with the endorsement of both Labour and the Greens, before campaigning for the Green party in last year's election.
In his maiden speech Collins highlighted his wish to be a champion for underserved and underprivileged members of our society;
"The government cannot be a bystander to people suffering confusion and disenfranchisement. New Zealand must close the divide between those who have and those who have not, because the reality for my community is that those who have more money often wield more power, more health, more housing, more justice, more access, more canopy cover, more lobbyists with swipe cards, and more time,"
Nicholas spoke to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about the passing of his friend and colleague Fa'anānā Efeso Collins.
95bFM