Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson says she is “getting better and stronger every day” as she marks a return to politics after treatment for breast cancer.

Davidson is holding a media standup at Waitangi this afternoon.

Davidson said stepping aside right when she felt most needed was one of the hardest things she had done.

She was excited to return to politics following two operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“I am doing well and I am getting better and stronger each day.”
The Green Party announced Davidson’s return to politics after revealing a breast cancer diagnosis last June.

Davidson’s return comes eight months after being diagnosed with breast cancer, saying she is alive, well and back.

The MP will return to work at the Waitangi Treaty Ground on Monday where she will address the media.

“I’m delighted to be returning to my Taitōkerau whenua, and to stand alongside my fellow wāhine co-leader Chlöe [Swarbrick] and our Green Party colleagues to demonstrate our movement’s core beliefs in upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and in championing the wellbeing of people and planet.

Green party co-leader Marama Davidson was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Photo / Facebook

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to return to my work. And I am grateful, beyond words, for the aroha and support my whānau, my community and so many have graced me with this past year,” she said in a statement.

Davidson revealed her breast cancer diagnosis flanked by Green MPs on June 17 last year, and underwent her first bout of surgery just over two weeks later.

Davidson said the cancer, which was picked up during a routine mammogram the previous month, required her to undergo a partial mastectomy and would lead to her being off work for about four months.

She urged other wāhine to get checked themselves, acknowledging the level of breast cancer was disproportionately high for Māori women.

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.