On Wednesday, 21 February 2024, the late Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, a dedicated Green MP, passed away during a charitable event in Auckland. He is fondly remembered for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to community causes, tirelessly advocating for the rights and well-being of Pasifika individuals. VRC, Executive Founding Director, Dr Marion Muliaumaseali’i shares some thoughts in his honour.

Talofa lava & warm Oceania greetings. It gives me great pleasure to be sending out our first Christmas message via our quarterly newsletter. As the Executive Founding Director of the Village Response Collective (VRC), I am very proud of what we have achieved in 2023.

What a year?! 2023 brought about so many opportunities, challenges and growth. The year started on a grim note for me, being made redundant after nearly 11 years in the Energy sector but I was ready to move on. Financially, I knew it would be a challenge to go back into social services but that’s where my heart has always been. So, with the support of my amazing husband Joe Wally, I made the move and have not regretted it.

At the Pasifika Roundtable we heard from the Youth and Family practitioners wanting to know if there was any support for them. This question landed on Lesa Debra’s radar as a youth worker for over 20 years she understood how crucial it is for practitioners to have the right support.