Marama Davidson Expresses Heartfelt Gratitude to Nikki Kaye

Quick facts

The Green co-leader stated that Nikki Kaye became one of the first people to learn of her cancer diagnosis, in an homage to the former National Party minister.

Kaye died at 44, eight years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

"Our sharing, even if just for the last part of your time, will stay in my heart and impact me forever," according to Davidson.

Marama Davidson, Green co-leader, honored Nikki Kaye in a moving tribute that discussed the two's friendship over the last year.

In a statement released following Kaye's death, Davidson stated that the former National Party co-leader and minister had supported and assisted her over the last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

She stated that they had stayed in touch after meeting before Davidson publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis. Davidson recalled the time she told Kaye about her condition, making her one of the first people she told.

"You put your lunch down, stood up and just walked over to the other side of the table and hugged me silently for what seemed like the longest of time," according to Davidson.

She described that as an amazing and very kind answer, and she thanked Kaye for her continued friendship and support in the months that followed.

"We've been in close contact ever since and gotten to know each other in ways I never expected. "I told my husband last week that I was worried because you hadn't responded to my most recent email, which was so unlike you," Davidson wrote.

"Our sharing, even if only for the final moments of your life, will live on in my heart and have an eternal impact on me. Lover of life, I wish I had been well enough to accept your offer to hide on your beautiful island with you."

During her vacation, the Green co-leader released a statement in which she shared her recollections of Kaye. She revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in June and has been on leave since undergoing a partial mastectomy.

Before informing the Green Party caucus and later the general world about her condition, Davidson stated that she had lunch with Kaye.

"You had no idea I was about to inform you that I had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. However, you wanted to have a kōrero to check in with each other! "We'd always respected each other in terms of harsh politics," Davidson wrote.

"You knew about my diagnosis long before the public knew and even before most of my whānau," she told me.

She praised Kaye's family and expressed her support for them:

"I'm so sad to hear of your passing, Nikki. Our shared experience, even if it was only for a brief period, will live on in my heart and have an eternal impact on me. Lover of life, I wish I had been well enough to accept your invitation to hide out on your beautiful island.

"You were a gorgeous person. I will remember you and your people in my heart. He pouri, Mamae, and Ka Tangi. "Arohanui, all my love, mai rā e tōku hoa."

Kaye was 36 years old when she received her initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2016. She had been in Parliament for eight years at the time and would continue to serve until 2020.