A New Zealand member of parliament with Samoan ancestry Fa'anānā Efeso Collins died after taking part in a charity event in central Auckland on Wednesday morning.

New Zealand media reports that the father-of-two and former Auckland mayoral contender was taking part in a charity run when he collapsed in central Auckland.

He was 49-years-old. Radio New Zealand reported that he was among well-known New Zealanders taking part in a charity water run on Wednesday morning for ChildFund.

The event was stopped as emergency services treated Collins, who collapsed during the event.

Collins was born and raised in the Auckland suburb of Ōtara. He was the youngest of six children of bus driver and Pentecostal Church pastor Tauiliili Sio Collins and factory worker and cleaner Lotomau Collins.

His parents immigrated to New Zealand from Samoa in the 1960s.

Collins bore the Samoan matai title of Fa’anana from the village of Satufia, Satupaitea, Savai'i. He was brought up a Pentecostal Christian

Radio New Zealand reported their Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as saying: “"I am truly shocked and saddened at the news of Efeso Collins' sudden death.

"Efeso was a good man, always friendly and kind, and a true champion and advocate for his Samoan and south Auckland communities.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to his family, his community and colleagues."