Shortland Street actress Sally Martin has written a heartfelt tribute to her friend and co-star Pua Magasiva.
Pua, who died last Saturday May 12th, will be farewelled at a private funeral in Wellington today. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Sally and Pua have known each other for years. They met on the set of Power Rangers in 2003 before starring as husband and wife Vinnie Kruse and Nicole Miller on Shortland Street.
For Pua and Sally, being close friends in real life made it easy to play the characters of Vinnie and Nicole. “Pua is your dream castmate,” Sally said in a 2014 interview with the Australian Women’s Weekly. “Obviously that friendship helps, but he’s also really, really good at what he does.”
Ahead of Pua’s funeral today, Sally penned a poem which she posted to social media.
“Have had too many of my moments this week at work where my heart has stumbled and I’ve lost my breath,” she wrote.
She talked about the moments Pua was there for her in her life. When he’d “play a prank, make a joke.” When he’d “distract all the eyes and all the lenses just to give me a change to stand behind a door. To gather myself in private in order to carry on.”
“I would’ve done that for you,” she promised.
Sally referenced the “demons” Pua had faced throughout his life, but praised his “guts,” saying that she and others would have held him “through a million rough moments.”
Pua’s brother, actor Robbie Magasiva, commented on her post, saying “Beautiful words @sallyemartin thank you darling. We will celebrate now and give him a great send off.”
He posted his own social media tribute to his brother today. “My heart is broken I miss you so much Pua we all do,” he wrote. “Rest now. I love you Pua.”
Being close friends in real life made it easy to play husband and wife on Shortland Street.
Pua leaves behind his wife of one year, Lizz Sadler, his 8-year-old daughter, Jasmine and his stepdaughter Laylah. He was 38.
Sally’s full poem is below.
Have had too many of my moments
This week at work
Where my heart has stumbled
And I’ve lost my breath
You know, those moments
My moments you know well
When with a single glance
You could somehow see
My spirit falter
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Those moments that you saw me through
When you’d play a prank
Make a joke
When you’d distract all the eyes
And all the lenses
Just to give me a chance
To stand behind a door
To gather myself in private
In order to carry on
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I would’ve done that for you
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
People would’ve lined up to do that for you
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Lined up to hold you through a million rough moments ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I wonder if you can see them all now
Lining up to hold your family
Hold your girls
Your precious girls
Surrounding them
Loving them
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I hope you can see them now
All these people
Who love you so hard
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I hate your demons
But I love your guts
And man, I’mma miss you
Where to get help
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email [email protected]
What’s Up: online chat (7pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 children’s helpline (1pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-10pm weekends)
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
