July 05, 2021
New sense of zeal for Kiritapu Allan
Cabinet Minister Kiritapu Allan says she’s relieved and glad to be getting back to work after a bout with cancer.
Ms Allan was diagnosed with cervical cancer three months ago, and has undergone an intensive 9-week course of chemotherapy and radiation.
She says it has changed her outlook and brought home the gift that life is – and also the privilege she has to do the mahi that awaits her.
"I got into politics to make a difference for whanau who look like us, who sound like us, who come from places like we do. I'm from the East Coast and we have innumerable challenges whether that be things like climate change or housing or just getting our whānau into decent mahi. Now I've got the opportunity to sit at the cabinet table and while I have the privilege to do that mahi, I'd be damned if I didn't go back to work and do everything in my power to make a change for better," Ms Allan says.
Kiritapu Allan has resumed the Conservation, associate Environment and Arts Culture and Heritage portfolios, but for now has left Kris Faafoi with the Emergency Management role.
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