Robbie Magasiva opens up about the moment he learned his brother Pua had passed away

Robbie Magasiva has spoken about the moment he learned his younger brother Pua had died - and his family's ongoing grief.

Pua, the 38-year-old actor and former Shortland Street star, was found dead at a central Wellington address in the early hours of Saturday 11 May.

Robbie, a fellow actor who had starred with Pua on Shortland Street and Sione's Wedding, told Woman's Day of the moment he learned of his younger brother's death from Pua's twin Tanu, and had to then break the news to their parents.

"That wasn't a good phone call. When Dad answered, he was all chipper, and then I had to tell him and he started wailing," he told Woman's Day.

"I'd never heard that before. In the background, I could hear Mum yelling, 'What's wrong, what's wrong?' And he had to tell her."

The death had hit their tight family hard.

"To be honest, life will never be the same for us," he told Woman's Day. "Everyone is coping differently, but we are all grieving."

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Born in Apia, Samoa, Pua and his family moved to New Zealand when he was two. He was raised in Wellington and attended St Patrick's College.

Pua rose to fame on Shortland Street where he played the much-loved role of nurse Vinnie Kruse between 2003-06 and then 2011-18.

He also had roles in the Power Rangers television series, Sione's Wedding and Outrageous Fortune.

Pua, who has a young daughter from his first marriage, married Lizz Sadler in April last year, 18 months after meeting on Instagram.

Robbie told Woman's Day there could have been warning signs that not all was well with his younger brother in recent times.

"When I was in Melbourne, I had reached out and said I was worried about him. I could foresee the fall. I'd suggested a counsellor, but he didn't want to hear it."

Robbie urged others to speak to each other and to check in on their friends.

The magazine and four-page interview is on sale now.

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This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.