Beautiful is not a word one would normally associate with breast cancer, but it's one Nikki Kaye uses a number of times as she talks about her journey back to Parliament.

The 36-year-old Auckland Central MP is delighted to be back at work this week after doctors cleared her to return, following her breast cancer diagnosis in September last year.

She told Mike Hosking she is feeling better than she has for a very long time and has made changes to ensure she is eating and sleeping well.

"I'm making sure I'm more organised than ever before to make sure I get breaks, get a walk every day and eat properly. One of the beautiful things about this is that I think I can be better at my job because you can't serve anyone if you're not health, and I think I could have done better in that respect."

Kaye said her diagnosis has been transformational.

"I look at life differently and I think I'm more grateful, and I hope that in terms of work it means that I'm more focused because I don't take things for granted, whereas I might have before," she said.

She said although she wouldn't wish anyone to go through what she has, it's been a "beautiful" experience from a family perspective.

"I'm a lot closer to my family, and I just think I feel a lot more grateful for life."

Kaye said staying positive throughout the whole really mattered.

"If you are positive then everything from getting out of bed and doing that bit of exercise really matters.

"I've had some incredible support from a friend perspective as well. And I think just putting positive goals ahead, because there have been really tough days, and just getting that good support network around has been amazing."

She also praised the medical professionals helping her, in particular the person who delivered the bad news to her. "He was amazing".

Kaye said when she was first told she had breast cancer, she had a moment of "why me and why now?" - but quickly snapped out of it. 

She said so many people contacted her with their stories and there is always someone who has had a much worse road.

"When all those stories came through I snapped out of it. I've had such an amazing support network of people who have contacted me so I've had a chance to think it through mentally."

Kaye also has praise for the New Zealand media who she said respected her request for privacy when she asked for it.

She said she is now excited to be back at work, has been easing back into it over the past week and looking forward to the new year.

LISTEN ABOVE AS NATIONAL MP NIKKI KAYE SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING