Former National Party Minister Nikki Kaye has died aged 44.
In a post on Facebook, her former colleague Maggie Barry shared a picture of the two with the caption, “Farewell, my friend”.
Barry told 1News she was “devastated”, calling Kaye a “strong spirit” who was “always such a staunch conservationist”.
“Nikki worked tirelessly on causes she believed in, including fighting hard to save our threatened plant and bird species.
Politicians from across the political spectrum have remembered the former National Party minister following news of her death. (Source: 1News)
“She made a huge contribution to her country, and she will be missed.”
Kaye served as MP for Auckland Central from 2008 until 2020 and held a number of ministerial positions during her political career.
In 2016 she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She was National’s deputy leader under Todd Muller and left politics in 2020.
Muller posted to X, calling Kaye a “beautiful soul” with a “deeply caring heart fuelled by a ferocious energy to serve her party, community and country, often at the expense of her own health”.
“I will miss her dearly. Rest in peace Nikki.”
Sir John Key told media that it was a “really sad day”.
He said Kaye had tremendous “tenacity, determination, and dedication to everything she did”.
Key said he last spoke to Kaye while she was in hospital, and said she was “very much at peace”.
In a statement this morning, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and National Deputy Leader Nicola Willis said they were “deeply saddened” by Kaye’s death, calling her a “cherished colleague, friend, and former Minister, Deputy Leader and Member of Parliament for Auckland Central”.
“Nikki’s contribution to our party, her community, and New Zealand has left an indelible mark. Her tireless dedication, sharp intellect, and tenacity earned her the respect of people across the political spectrum,” the Prime Minister said.
“Nikki was a remarkable person and a crusader for what she believed in, and her contribution has left our country in a better place.”
‘A brilliant friend to many of us’
Speaking to 1News, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the world had “lost a beautiful soul”.
She called Kaye a “model of what it is to live your values and fight for them in Parliament”.
“She was brave; she fought fiercely for the causes and people she believed in.
“But she did so always with a compassion for people.”
In a post to X, Attorney-General Judith Collins said: “I am so sorry to hear this. Far too young and far too early. RIP Nikki.”
In a statement, the National Party paid tribute to Kaye.
“Nikki approached her candidacy with the same gusto with which she lived her life – full of energy, enthusiasm and a tireless work ethic,” it said.
“As the local MP Nikki went on to handle over 50,000 constituency cases and was a staunch environmental advocate.
“Nikki was also a strong advocate for youth, women and the LGBTQ community where she made many strong connections and friends.
“Nikki Kaye committed more to our Party than any political party could hope for or ask of anyone. She is a great loss to us and the many New Zealanders whose lives she sought to improve daily.”
Marama Davidson says Kaye supported her after her own cancer diagnosis
Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson paid tribute to Kaye on Facebook, and revealed the former minister had supported her after she was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.
“You knew about my diagnosis long before the public knew and even before most of my own whānau. I’ll never forget your response when the discussion turned from our respective passions and our work – to me asking if I could share something personal with you,” Davidson said.
“I said, ‘Nikki, I wanted to meet with you today because of your experience being a Minister at the time of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Because I’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer also’.
Kaye, who has died aged 44, has been warmly remembered by those across the political spectrum. (Source: 1News)
“You put your lunch down, stood up and just walked over to the other side of the table and hugged me silently for what seemed like the longest of time.”
Davidson said the two had stayed in “very close” contact ever since.
“I told my husband last week that I was worried because you hadn’t replied to my latest email, which was so unlike you.”
“I am so sorry to hear of your death Nikki. Our sharing, even if just for the last part of your time, will stay in my heart and impact me forever. Lover of life, I wish I had been well enough to take up the offer of hiding out on your beloved island with you.”
‘Respected across the aisle’
On Facebook, Green Party Co-Leader and Kaye’s successor to the Auckland Central seat, Chlöe Swarbrick, said she was “utterly devastated” upon hearing the news.
“Only a few weeks ago, we were texting about ensuring sustainable and resourced ambulance services on Aotea Great Barrier Island,” Swarbrick said.
“She had made time and time again through the years, even and especially well after politics, for whoever reached out for help and notably for a number of women in my life struggling with breast cancer.
“Her work in Auckland Central set the bar for what it meant to be an electorate MP and respected across the aisle. Sending love and solidarity in grief to all of her whānau, friends and community. Thank you for everything, Nikki.”
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins called the news “incredibly sad”.
“Nikki Kaye and I were opposite numbers at Parliament in the education portfolio, and I would describe us very fondly as frenemies,” he said.
“I didn’t agree with all of her decisions, but found her immensely reasonable. She poured her heart and soul into the electorate and she always pushed for better for children and young people.”
Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern, who lost two races for the Auckland Central seat to Kaye, said she was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“Nikki was someone I got to know fairly well over the years that we ran against each other in Auckland Central. We may have been opponents, but there were so many things I admired about Nikki,” Ardern said.
“She worked incredibly hard, cared passionately about her electorate, and she was always willing to agree an idea was good, or bad, based on her values rather than just politics. We laughed a lot over the years, and while we may have had some decent debates, nothing ever felt genuinely personal.
“I’m sorry that I never knew Nikki was unwell again, if I had, I’d liked to have talked with her just one more time. Rest in peace, Nikki. Politics was better for having you in it.”
