A Tragic Loss: Aimee-Rose Yates, a Passionate Educator and Bowel Cancer Advocate, Dies at 32

Aimee-Rose Yates, a beloved Auckland primary school teacher and a dedicated bowel cancer awareness advocate, has passed away at the age of 32 after a three-year battle with the disease. Her death has sent shockwaves through the educational community and beyond, as she was remembered for her unwavering positivity, compassion, and the profound impact she had on students and colleagues alike.

Yates was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic bowel cancer in 2022 after accompanying her sister to a screening. Concerned by her increased risk profile, she decided to undergo a colonoscopy herself, which revealed a 6.5cm tumour. Despite the severity of her condition, she remained a tireless advocate for early detection and awareness, using her voice to push for changes in the national screening program.

In a 2023 election debate, Yates challenged then-Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Opposition leader Christopher Luxon to lower the national bowel cancer screening age from 60 to a younger age. Her advocacy was not in vain—last year, the government announced plans to lower the screening age for all New Zealanders from 60 to 58, with the change set to take effect regionally from October 2025.

Despite the government’s progress, Yates’s brother, Mark Mallard, expressed deep sorrow in a Facebook tribute, describing her as a “rare soul” with an “infectious zest for life.” He shared heartfelt memories of her early years, noting how her warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone she met.

Elm Park School, where Yates taught, released a statement praising her dedication and kindness. They described her as a teacher who connected with students in a “special way,” and whose “passion for education” and “unwavering positivity” will be remembered by all who knew her.

The school extended its heartfelt condolences to Yates’s husband, Aaron, and her family, friends, and colleagues. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched, both as an educator and as an advocate for cancer awareness.

Every year, over 3300 New Zealanders are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and more than 1200 die from the disease. Yates’s passing is a poignant reminder of the urgent need for early detection and improved access to screening, particularly for Māori and Pacific communities who are disproportionately affected.

As the nation mourns the loss of Aimee-Rose Yates, her story serves as both a tribute to her life and a call to action for those who continue her fight for better health outcomes and early cancer detection.