Redefining the term ‘Hustle’ in the form of the Samoan value ‘Tautua’.
Through my lens as a Pacific student under Waipapa Taumata Rau, I view hustle as these three themes: hard work, resilience and vision to be in continuity.
When I think of the three themes through a Samoan lens, an overarching value that encompasses the three themes is “Tautua”, which in English means ‘service’. One Pacific leader I know who encapsulates these three themes and Samoan values of Tautua—of serving your communities wholeheartedly—is Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, who sadly passed away on the 21st of February. In my heart, I felt it necessary to commemorate this article to Fa’anānā Efeso Collins and celebrate the way he has devoutly served his faith in God, family, his Aganu’u Fa’a-Samoa (Samoan culture), Pacific communities, this University, South Auckland and many more.
In this article, I will call him Fa’anānā as that is his bestowed Matai (chiefly title) name in Samoan culture. Fa’anānā was the first Pasifika president of Auckland University’s Student Association (AUSA); He attained his BA and MA, has lectured at the University of Auckland, working here for 15 years, and founded the past initiative ‘Dream Fonotaga’, a program that offered mentoring for Year 12 students on proper and successful habits and tools for future study in tertiary institutions. With his experience, he became a Youth Worker, Auckland councillor for the Manukau ward, chair of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, and then a Parliament (MP) member for the Green Party.
But out of all the personal experiences and beliefs that have guided him throughout his life, award-winning Senior Writer Simon Wilson puts it best: “The values on which he stood most firmly, the wellspring to everything in him and the thing that gave him the greatest pleasure, was children.”
In Fa’anānā’s own words, “I want my girls to see their parents standing up for them and for a climate that’s going to be better… My girls are brown, and the data is clear that it is brown women who make the least. I want them to know we’re in this fight together.”
Many eloquent and powerful articles are written about Fa’anānā, but regarding this theme of ‘hustle’, I feel Fa’anānā adds more nuance to this term. As a Samoan person, his ‘hustle’ had a moral imperative, and the Samoan value of Tautua is exemplary of the leadership qualities he has encapsulated.
As a Pasifika editor, I was deeply saddened by the passing of our fellow Pacific alumni from Waipapa Taumata Rau. He has a legacy of championing cultural identity and well-being and supporting low-socioeconomic people. He has also supported Pacific communities, calling out all forms of racism and being the quintessential Pacific migrant dream.
Growing up, his parents (Dad being a taxi driver and Mum working on the factory floor) moved to Aotearoa and instilled in him aspirations towards aspiring for a good education, for a better life, and then ultimately giving back to your family, church and Pacific communities.
His hustle came from humble beginnings, and even though I did not personally know him, I want to note that me and Fa’anānā followed each other on Instagram and Facebook friends for a few years. What I saw as an observer and supporter was all his amazing work in the Pacific community. However, the most important thing that radiated constantly was the way he loved his family. Ultimately I felt it necessary to honour his memory and his long-lasting legacy as I share what people have said about him below.
But before that, I want to say Ia manuia lau malaga Fa’anānā. May our Heavenly Father protect, guide, heal and support your wife, daughters and family through this time of grief. The Bible scripture John 11:26 – “And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” This verse will be central to your faith and re-emphasising that your love to support your communities and love for your family will never die and will forever be here vicariously through your loved ones and community.
“Raised in the 274 in Otara, and now based in Ōtāhuhu, he was always preaching his Southside pride and was staunchly proud of his Samoan and Tokelauan roots. He was unapologetically proud to be brown.”
Pasifika Editor of NZ Herald Vaimoana Mase
“One of the things Fes was dedicated to was trying to illuminate pathways for young people in South Auckland, specifically Pacific youth.”
Senior Lecturer Seuta’afili Dr Patrick Thomsen on the Q+A show
“A trailblazer as the first Pacific person to become AUSA president… He was a visionary and paved the way for Pacific peoples; he always made time to come onto campus for our students.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau
“Efeso showed the little brown Pacific kids growing up in criminalised and impoverished South Auckland that they too were destined for greatness. In a world that gives Pacific youth very little reason to try, Efeso became a beacon of hope.”
New Zealander of the Year in 2023 Shaneel Lal
“Efeso was always so friendly, gracious, generous, kind, positive, and collaborative, with a lovely sense of humour. He certainly lived by the words he uttered in his maiden speech, which was to lead with the spirit of peace and love and service. He was what I would call a true servant leader.”
Current Prime Minister of NZ Christopher Luxon
“Aotearoa and the Green Party have lost one of the kindest, most dedicated champions of fairness and equality. Efeso Collins was a good man. He was called to come to Parliament because of what he could see of the worsening poverty, the inadequate incomes, the profound inequities that affect and shape Pacific communities that he came from.”
Green Party co-leader James Shaw
“Losing Efeso is a loss to our country and to our Pasifika community. There will be a gaping hole left in so many spaces. He called out racism; he challenged discrimination and unfairness; he held individuals, systems, agencies and organisations to account. He also shouted from the rooftops the amazingness and the aspirations of our Pasifika community.”
Labour Party deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni
“Everything he did was to create a better world for his daughters.”
Auckland Councillor Josephine Bartley on the Q+A show
