He resisted calls to retire which intensified in 2007 when Hawkins took two months off to have an operation for bowel cancer. He believed many in the Labour Party coveted his safe electorate seat and stated of many of the visitors he received in hospital "They didn't want to hold your hand, they wanted to take your pulse." In the 2008 general election he again chose not to be placed on the party list, and again won his Manurewa seat. However his majority was cut by more than half. Following the defeat of the Labour government Hawkins was appointed Shadow Minister of Housing by Clark's successor as leader Phil Goff. He retired from Parliament in 2011.