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September 21, 2022
Collins navigates through racism for mayoral run
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On September 21, 2022
Download AudioAuckland mayoral candidate Efeso Collins says while he’s been dismayed by the racism he’s encountered while campaigning, but when he’s sat down and talked with people prejudices have gone away.
Mr Collins, who has Samoan and Tokelauan whakapapa, is front-runner says he’s had a light security detail on hand at some events because of racial threats but it hasn’t stopped honest conversations.
“My whole focus has been how do we cut through some of those attitudes that don’t belong in today’s society, but you’ve got to play the middle, you’ve got to be careful about the steps you take. I hope people will look at the way I’ve navigated myself through this campaign and think ‘that’s the kind of leadership we want, someone who accepts there is challenges but is going to navigate through it such that we are going to have a city that is going to draw together and be one to a combined vision that we can all work towards,’ because I think that’s what is really important,” he says.
Mr Collins says he’s drawing support from all over the city, and he’s not just relying in the South and brown vote.
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