The human locator beacon that is Kiwi investigative journalist David Lomas regularly travels the globe in search of answers to unsolved family mysteries.
But off screen, it's not widely known there's one country that's significant in David's life for his own family reasons - Fiji.
It was where he called home for eight of his first 16 years, when David's father worked as an air traffic controller at Nadi Airport. And it's where his older brother and mentor, Peter, is buried after sadly dying from Covid complications, aged 74, last year.
Peter, also a veteran journalist, was the publisher and editor of the Fiji Sun, ensuring the paper was relevant to all Fijians rather than just the educated and the expatriates.
Along with his late wife Venina, he was a key member of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), which helped with the training of almost every journalist in the region for many years.
Receiving the news in mid-2021 that his older brother had been admitted to the Covid ward in Suva's Colonial War Memorial Hospital was terrible, David tells the Weekly.
"We were worried. After initially being in the Covid ward, he was in a coma in ICU and just never recovered. He passed away in March 2022," explains the TV presenter, who had to view his brother's funeral online due to lockdown restrictions in Fiji.
"Thankfully in February 2020, just as Covid ell trip' started to appear in the world, I had some time off, so went to visit him. We went on a fun five-day road trip together it was his decision - where we took the office car and I travelled with him around Fiji as he visited his paper's branch offices.
"We went over to Labasa and Savusavu, and then we came back across to Rakiraki. Of course, I didn't realise it at the time, but it turned out to be our farewell trip."
This story is from the september 11, 2023 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the september 11, 2023 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy
Mum's hero team GIVING GIGI A FLYING CHANCE
Twice her daughter has needed life-saving treatment
Call the midwife AROHA'S SPECIAL DELIVERIES
The maternity carer wants more pregnant mums to have the traditional Māori birth experienc
Winning his Queen back FRED & MARY'S TOUR OF LOVE
There's a lot riding on the royal couple's anniversary cruise
The winner TAKES IT ALL!
Five decades on from Abba's Arrival, we're still saying Thank You For the Music
The show must go on! TAYLA'S LIVING HER DREAM
From opera to operations, the young Kiwi performer is unstoppable
From Russia with love 'ADVENTURE'S IN MY BLOOD'
Victoria's glad she took the leap of faith, even though it was a desperate act
Marata's supporting role 'NIKKI'S THE REAL WARRIOR'
The league star pays tribute to his soulmate who lives with a painful condition
Stronger than ever WILLS & KATE'S ENDURING LOVE
Through all life's challenges, the royal soulmates are there for each other
Four kids and a party JESSE'S BRINGING THE FUN!
The TV host is dancing to his own beat when it comes to fatherhood and fame