Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson has announced she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
"Just over a month ago I was sitting in a doctor's office at one of those appointments you hope you will never need," Davidson said, speaking from Parliament, surrounded by Green MPs.
"A routine mammogram showed some potential concerns, a biopsy then confirmed I have breast cancer.
"Fortunately, the cancer has been caught early and treatment will begin soon. I will be having a partial mastectomy in the first week of July. Following this, I will be taking leave to recover from surgery and begin further treatment," Davidson said.
She expects that to take about four months, but cannot confirm when she will be returning to Parliament.
"I do want to be clear that we are fortunate to have picked this up early enough to give us the best odds of getting rid of it, thanks to the breast screening programme."
It was important for screening programmes to be supported and equitable, to make sure more people are screened in time to save lives, she said, urging other women to get screened.
Davidson paid tribute to the Green Party caucus, saying she feels enormously grateful for the outpouring of aroha from the MPs.
Her husband has been her "absolute rock of emotional support", she said, and her tamariki and mokopuna generously share their māmā and nana with the Green Party every day.
"My strength is not mine alone, it is that of many."
- Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson has announced she has breast cancer.
- The cancer has been caught early and treatment will begin soon, she says.
- She is scheduled to have a partial mastectomy in the first week of July.
- She made the announcement at a media briefing at Parliament at noon on Monday.
- Davidson says she will continue to work until 29 June, and expects to be on leave for about four months.
- She says she wants to remain as co-leader and called for the party membership to vote to support her at the next AGM.
