Deputy Labour leader Carmel Sepuloni reveals she had cancer

Thursday, 28 May 2026

Deputy Labour leader Carmel Sepuloni had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from her right kidney on her birthday exactly one year ago, it has been revealed.

Posting to Instagram on Thursday for her 49th birthday, Sepuloni wrote that many people did not know she had cancer, but a CT scan confirmed in recent months she is officially cancer free.

Sepuloni is the MP for Kelston and spokesperson for Auckland Issues, Women, and Pacific Peoples.

She entered Parliament in 2008, working previously in the tertiary sector as a literacy educator, student mentor adviser, equity manager and Pacific health research project manager.

She wrote on social media that it had been a big year, both with her cancer and the death of her father.

“Although I celebrate my good health I still mourn the passing of my dad - who left us a month ago.

“He had lived with me for 17 years, played a major role in helping to raise my children and supported me to be able to have the career I’ve had.”