Heartbreak & Healing - Robbie Mourns Little Bro Pua

The devastated actor is working through his grief

The death of actor Pua Magasiva knocked New Zealanders for six. By the time of his tragic passing, aged 38, he’d touched the hearts of millions of Kiwis through popular roles on Shortland Street, Power Rangers and his Flava radio show – and the nation was united in shock and grief.

But nobody has felt Pua’s loss more keenly than his family. His eldest brother Robbie is a broken man.

While news cycles can quickly move on after a celebrity death, acclaimed actor Robbie, 47, is still reeling – trying and failing to come to terms with Pua’s suspected suicide in Wellington on May 11.

The normally stoic mountain of a man we know so well from shows like Wentworth sits hunched and cries often as he remembers his charismatic, talented, big-hearted little bro – whom he fondly called “Poos”.

Robbie says the Magasiva aiga – dad Ropati, 70, mum Salafa, 68, brothers Steve, 40, Miki, 39, Pua’s twin Tanu and their adopted sister Trina, 20 – are quite simply crushed.

“To be honest, life will never be the same for us,” says Robbie, his big brown eyes welling up. “Everyone is coping differently, but we’re all grieving.

“Pua’s birthday is coming up in August. Tanu wants to take some of his ashes back to Samoa, where Mum and Dad live. That will be hard. Pua’s daughter Jasmine’s ninth birthday this month will be hard. Our first Christmas will be hard. These are all obstacles we will have to get through together.”

Robbie admits he has “good days and bad days”, and internally is going through the torturous “could I, should I, what if?” conversations loved ones left behind often contemplate. It’s natural – but pointless, he knows.

Pua’s not coming back, but Robbie often talks about his brother in the present tense and just last night dreamed he was still here.