Iare village

The popular FM100 talkback show host passed on late Saturday night at Iare village, in the Kairuku-Hiri District, Central Province.

The show is the country’s longest running radio talkback program with the late Hau’ofa its host for close to 30 years.

Expressing sadness at his passing, MCPNG president Alexander Rheeney said his death is a blow to broadcasting in PNG and robs radio listeners throughout the country of a talk-show host, who knew the issues affecting citizens and held leaders to account on air.

Ms Hau'ofa spoke out following her father’s death on Saturday, March 4, at Iare village in Kairuku District, Central Province.

The late Hau'ofa, from Tonga, was 73 years old and had been broadcasting in Papua New Guinea for over 50 years.

She said that he passed on peacefully surrounded by family at the family home in Iare Village.

“He was as strong as a lion until the very end and went out on his own terms with courage, dignity and grace.

“Dad had suffered for over a year now and spent a month in intensive care at the Pacific International Hospital.