Family to hold private funeral for Pua Magasiva in Wellington, later this week

Pua Magasiva's family will hold a private funeral, with his family and close friends in Wellington.

Pua Magasiva's family will hold a private funeral, with his family and close friends in Wellington.

The former actor was found dead in Wellington on Saturday. Police said his death was not suspicious.

A spokeswoman told Stuff a funeral would be held at the end of the week.

Magasiva was a father and husband. He married Lizz Sadler last year.

The spokeswoman said his family wanted privacy at this time, as they were in "the acute stage of grief".

There would also be a tribute to Magasiva on Shortland St, but TVNZ have no further details.

The 38-year-old was best known for his role as Shortland St nurse Vinnie Kruse, who he played for more than seven years. In 2015, he left Shortland St to focus on his job hosting the morning show on radio station Flava. He left the radio role in September.

The Samoa-born star was raised in Wellington with older brother and fellow actor Robbie.

He was also known for his roles in Power Rangers Ninja Storm, Sione's Wedding, and television series Auckland Daze and Outrageous Fortune.

Friends and colleagues shared their memories of Magasiva, and grief following his death.

His former Flava co-host, Sela Alo posted a message addressed to Magasiva on Sunday, asking if he realised how many people loved him.

"Have you seen the amount of love people have for you? Do you know how many lives you've touched with your stink jokes, your stink charm, your stink handsomeness and your stink haircut," Alo said.

Many of Magasiva's former Shortland St co-stars, including his on-screen son Duane Wichman-Evans Jr, Jayden Daniels and Aussie actor Luke Patrick, posted tributes for the 38-year-old on social media

Wichman-Evans Jr said Magasiva had been "a friend, mentor and brother".