Golriz Ghahraman, the first refugee elected to New Zealand’s parliament and a member of the centre-left Green Party, has resigned following allegations of shoplifting. The MP, also the party’s justice spokesperson, is currently under police investigation for three instances of retail theft.
In her statement, Ghahraman acknowledged that her actions were indefensible, attributing them to personal stress and trauma. As a former human rights lawyer, she admitted falling short of the expected standards for politicians and expressed the need to address her mental health.
Work-related stress, she explained, led her to behave in ways inconsistent with her character. She emphasized not seeking an excuse but rather an explanation for her actions. Ghahraman stated, “I have let down a lot of people, and I am very sorry. 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.”
The accusations of theft relate to incidents in late 2023 at an Auckland luxury clothing store and a Wellington clothes retailer. Last week, the Green Party announced Ghahraman’s temporary step-down from portfolio responsibilities during the ongoing police investigation.
Golriz Ghahraman, born in Iran and moved to New Zealand as a child, gained political asylum for her family. After studying law and working as a United Nations human rights lawyer, she entered parliament in 2017. The Green Party’s co-leaders, Marama Davidson and James Shaw, expressed support for Ghahraman’s decision to resign, recognizing her past contributions as a leading voice for human rights but acknowledging her current state of extreme distress.
