New Zealand MP Resigns Following Shoplifting Allegations

A New Zealand Member of Parliament (MP) has tendered her resignation amidst multiple allegations of shoplifting, leading to an ongoing police investigation. Golriz Ghahraman, who represented the Green Party, was accused of stealing from two clothing stores – one in Auckland and another in Wellington. Ghahraman, a former UN human rights lawyer, made history in 2017 as New Zealand’s first refugee in the government. She had previously held her party’s justice portfolio.

Ghahraman attributed her actions to work-related stress, stating that she behaved in a manner that was completely out of character. She expressed remorse and said, “I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry.” Ghahraman and her family fled Iran as refugees when she was a child, eventually resettling in New Zealand where they were granted political asylum.

The MP’s resignation follows the emergence of CCTV footage that allegedly shows her taking a designer handbag from a boutique in Auckland. It is important to note that Ghahraman has not been charged with any crime. In her statement, she acknowledged that her actions did not meet the high standards of behavior expected from elected representatives and stated, “It’s not a behavior I can explain because it’s not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I’m not well.”

Addressing Ghahraman’s resignation, James Shaw, co-leader of the Green Party, highlighted the continuous threats of sexual violence, physical violence, and death threats that she has faced since being elected to Parliament. Shaw noted that these threats had contributed to an elevated level of stress, beyond what most parliament members experience. He mentioned ongoing police investigations into these threats since Ghahraman’s election and acknowledged the resulting consequences.

Ghahraman has been vocal about the abuse she has endured due to her Iranian heritage, gender, and her public positions on various issues. She disclosed that she had to carry a security alarm and receive security escorts due to online threats she received. In 2017, she was provided with an escort following threats from white supremacists. More recently, she has faced criticism for participating in pro-Palestinian protests and voicing her concerns about Israel’s military actions in Gaza as the Green Party’s foreign affairs and human rights spokesperson.

In their joint statement, James Shaw and Marama Davidson, co-leaders of the Green Party, backed Ghahraman’s decision to resign, recognizing her extreme distress. They emphasized that Green MPs are expected to uphold high standards of public behavior and expressed support for her decision.