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Wanganui mayor Michael Laws' has asked the public not to send anymore flowers to his three year-old daughter Lucy because of the infection risk.
Lucy has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is also suffering from acute pneumonia. She is in Auckland's Starship Hospital.
Mr Laws announced that he will be taking indefinite leave from his position as Wanganui mayor yesterday.
An update from the mayor's office this morning from his personal assistant Ngaire Ellwood said the mayor will return to Wanganui next week while his wife and daughter stay on in Auckland.
"Mayor Michael Laws, Leonie and family sincerely thank all well-wishes for their kind thoughts and prayers at this time and are sure you will understand if they do not personally contact people to thank them individually," Ms Ellwood said.
-NZ HERALD STAFF