Marama Davidson reveals breast cancer diagnosis

Monday, 17 June 2024

Green co-leader Marama Davidson has revealed she has breast cancer.

Davidson will receive treatment later this year and expects to take about four months leave.

Chlöe Swarbrick will act as sole leader of the party from June 29, until Davidson returns to full duties once she has recovered.

Green co-leader Marama Davidson has breast cancer and will be on leave as she seeks treatment.

During a solemn press conference to reveal her diagnosis, Davidson said she was was feeling “good”, given the circumstances. She said she was “grateful” to her whānau and because the cancer had been detected early enough for her to pursue treatment.

After Matariki, Davidson said she would be taking leave to recover and receive treatment including a partial mastectomy. At this stage, she expected to be on leave for about four months - but timing may change.

At its annual meeting later this year, Green Party delegates will be asked to vote on whether they still supported the current co-leaders. Davidson said she would be asking for their support and planned to return to work, as co-leader, once she recovered.

In her absence, she said she was confident Chlöe Swarbrick could hold the fort on her own.

Swarbrick has only been co-leader since March, following James Shaw’s retirement from politics.

“I feel absolutely, unequivocally sure in my decision to stay on as co-leader once my treatment is complete. There are too many things I still want to help with. There is so much mahi yet to do. I know Chlöe and I will be a phenomenal team of wāhine toa co-leaders, and we are only just getting started. Ka whawhai tonu mātou,” she said.

Davidson told most of the Green Party caucus and staff on Monday morning, but had spoken to Swarbrick about her diagnosis a few weeks ago. She found out from doctors in May, before her and Swarbrick hosted their first big “State of the Planet” speech together.

The Green Party caucus stood beside Davidson as she announced her diagnosis early on Monday afternoon.

Davidson kept the diagnosis private for about a month, saying she wanted to focus on their work. May ended with the Budget and debate about the Fast Track consenting bill.

The diagnosis, she said, had strengthened her resolve to work in politics.

“If anything, the diagnosis really helped me to focus even more. While I can work, I will continue to,” she said.

Davidson also thanked a group of breast cancer survivors who she met at Parliament a few years ago, during a Pink Ribbon breakfast event.

“It was actually there, at that breakfast table, that other survivors really impressed upon me that I was late to have my mammogram. I want to thank them, because I got into the breast screening programme because of their insistence,” she said.

She urged others to access cancer screening programmes.

“Wāhine mā, please book in your mammogram,” she said.

The cancer was found during a routine mammogram, followed by a biopsy. She repeatedly said she felt fortunate to have access to good support and healthcare, but said it was “deeply unfair” that access to healthcare was “inequitable”.

Her diagnosis was the latest in a string of what both Swarbrick and Davidson described as “incredibly tough” six months.

The party mourned the death of Efeso Collins in February, who died suddenly after a heart attack.

Politically, the Greens have manoeuvred a leadership change and faced scandal such as Golriz Ghahraman’s resignation over shoplifting revelations and an internal inquiry into its MP, Darleen Tana. The party launched its own investigation three months ago after Stuff reported on links between Tana and allegations of migrant worker exploitation.

Davidson would continue full-time work as co-leader until June 28, before taking leave.