Union president speaks out about lung cancer battle

Ms Kelly, speaking to TVNZ's Q+A, said she felt grateful to remain in good health.

Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly has spoken about her fight with lung cancer, saying she's coping well after four rounds of chemotherapy.

Ms Kelly, speaking to TVNZ's Q+A, said she felt grateful to remain in good health.

"I'm living every day and I'm doing my work, and I'm very well," she said.

After four rounds of chemotherapy, she was "probably meant to be a bit sicker than I am," she said.

"But I'm coping really well with it."

A non-smoker, Ms Kelly told Q+A that she disagreed her diagnosis was particularly unfair. "It's unfair whether you're a smoker or not, it's a horrible disease," she said.

Ms Kelly revealed to delegates in February that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer, and said she could continue in her role as she felt "remarkably well, all things considered".