Prominent New Zealand politician Nikki Kaye dies aged 44 after lengthy cancer battle
A former New Zealand National Party minister has died at the age of 44.
Former Auckland Central MP and former National Party deputy leader Nikki Kaye has died after a long battle with breast cancer, it was announced on Monday.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said in a social media post that she was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“Nikki was someone I got to know quite well over the years we met at Auckland Central,” she wrote.
“We may have been opponents, but there were so many things I admired about Nikki.
“She worked incredibly hard, cared passionately about her constituents, and she was always willing to agree that an idea was good or bad based on her values and not just politics. We’ve had a lot of laughs over the years, and while we may have had some decent debates, nothing ever felt particularly personal.
‘I’m sorry I never knew Nikki was unwell again. If she had, I would have liked to talk to her one more time.
“Rest in peace, Nikki. It was better for politics to involve you.’
Jacinda Ardern (right) said she was ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of Nikki Kaye (left)
Ms Kaye left politics in 2020, four years after her breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy.
The 44-year-old was elected to Parliament in 2008 as MP for Auckland Central – which she held until the end of 2020 – and served as deputy national party leader under former leader Todd Muller that same year.
Ms Kaye has also held numerous ministerial positions, including the Education, Accident Compensation Corporation and Civil Protection portfolios.
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