Pua Magasiva's widow Lizz Sadler posted a revealing quote on Instagram before the former Shortland Street actor was exposed as having a conviction for domestic violence.

Sadler posted the quote "The truth hurts, but silence kills", which is commonly attributed to American author Mark Twain.

Supplied Lizz Sadler posted the quote to Instagram the day before Pua Magasiva's name suppression was lifted.

Magasiva had 20-day name suppression when he died on May 12.

In a letter to the court, Sadler said that Magasiva had convinced her to support a ban on the media naming him in order to protect his acting career.

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She changed her mind regarding the suppression because she decided that she wanted to be able to speak out.

David White Pua Magasiva arrives at the North Shore District Court during his domestic violence trial.

"I blamed myself because he blamed me and I did everything in my power to protect and lie for him but now I have the chance to be heard and speak my truth," Sadler wrote.

During Magasiva's trial, the court heard that he spat in Sadler's face, put her in a headlock and dragged her by the neck after a drunken night out last year.

He initially said that Sadler had attacked him but then withdrew that claim and changed his plea to guilty.

STUFF Pua Magasiva was remembered as "hugely funny, talented and charming" after his death in May.

Tributes poured in for Magasiva from around the New Zealand entertainment community upon news of his death in May.

He was described as "a delightful, caring, kind and beautiful character" and "a really good guy."

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