Melissa Chan Green pays tribute to ‘Poppa’ who died on New Year’s Day

Melissa Chan-Green has paid tribute to her stepfather who died suddenly on New Year’s Day who “chose to love me like a dad”.

The former Newshub journalist and AM Show host posted a tribute on social media, saying her family was devastated to share the death of “Poppa to our kids”.

“Anyone who has had a non-biological parent/step-parent, knows the phrase ‘you can’t choose your family’ is not technically true,” she wrote.

Melissa Chan-Green said Malcolm was just 23 and took on an instant 3-year-old daughter.

“Malcolm chose to love me like a dad when he met my mum. He was just 23 and took on an instant 3-year-old daughter. I doubt I could have taken on that responsibility at that age.”

Chan-Green said she put Malcolm through the ringer “as much as a daughter could”.

“Teen identity angst, going to parties I shouldn’t have been at, throwing parties I shouldn’t have thrown, dating the wrong boys, getting him to help me move flats about 4 times,” she said.

“He put up with it all and never ever once made me feel I was different to my three sisters – us Davies girls.

“He also loved many others as his own family including his friends and their kids.”

So many of us are hurting right now and we are so grateful to those who have sent messages of support, Chan-Green said.

Last year, Chan-Green opened up to the Herald’s Steve Braunias about a past abusive relationship.

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.