Kia Kaha Kiri

Stuff reports:

Labour’s Kiritapu Allan has been diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer.

The conservation and emergency services minister announced her diagnosis on Facebook on Tuesday morning.

Allan is 37 years old and was promoted to Cabinet soon after the last election.

She is stepping down from her portfolios to take medical leave.

Terrible news. I hope Kiri’s treatment is sucessful.

Kiri is one of my favourite Labour MPs. I met her in 2017 just after she had been elected and she is funny and genuine. Super easy to chat to and get on with, despite being at different ends of the political spectrum. Was not surprised she won East Coast in 2020 and that she got promoted to Cabinet either.

My thoughts are with Kiri, her family, friends and colleagues.