Road closures around city funeral home as thousands honour Collins
Thousands of people have been visiting Tipene Funerals in Auckland’s Onehunga to honour Green MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, who died last week.
The 49-year-old politician and community leader was participating in a charity event at Auckland’s Britomart on Wednesday, when he collapsed, dying at the scene shortly after.
Since his death, Auckland has seen an outpouring of grief, with many eager to pay respects to Collins, who is lying in state at Tipene Funerals Onehunga.
Family spokesperson Taito Eddie Tuiavii said “droves of whānau, community, friends – even folks who have never met Efeso, but have been moved by public tributes – had made the hīkoi over the weekend to pay their respects ... Often having to wait hours to be hosted.”
Tuiavii said by end of yesterday, thousands of people would have passed through the funeral home since the weekend.
He said viewing slots had been fully booked from 9am until 9pm but the family were trying to accommodate where they could.
“Such as when we're exiting one group and bringing another group through to view Efeso, leave cards and flowers, and give Fia a hug.
“It's really packed and full, but we're still trying to find ways to accommodate people.”
Those wanting to pay respects are encouraged to book online through Tipene Funerals, with different timeslots ranging from a half hour, to an hour, subject to availability, Tuiavii said. “But essentially, we won't turn people away.”
Politicians started arriving yesterday from 9am, with visits from the Green Party, the Labour Party Pasifika Caucus, Te Puni Kōkiri, Te Arawhiti and the Ministry of Pacific Peoples. These visits would be led by National MP Tama Pōtaka, Tuiavii said.
From today onwards, there would be visits from Auckland mayor Wayne Brown, deputy mayor Desley Simpson, the Independent Māori Statutory Board, diplomatic corps and potentially the Kīngitanga.
A road closure and traffic management plan is in place on Hill St, between Fleming St and Princes St in Onehunga, from yesterday to tomorrow, from 7am to 7pm.
“The road management plan seeks to balance the needs of residents and businesses carrying out their normal activity with the large amount of mourners expected over the next few days,” Tipene Funerals said.
“We are also asking mourners attending to carpool where possible due to the limited number of parking spaces on the street.The funeral will be held on Thursday with a public memorial service at the Due Drop Events Centre, Manukau, from noon.