New Zealand Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman steps down amid shoplifting allegations

New Zealand Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman has resigned amid multiple allegations of shoplifting. CCTV footage showing her allegedly attempting theft from upscale stores in Auckland and Wellington prompted her decision. Ghahraman, addressing the accusations, cited the impact of work-related stress on her mental health, expressing regret for her actions.

New Zealand Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman In a development that has stirred the New Zealand political scene, Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman has tendered her resignation from parliament following multiple allegations of shoplifting. The resignation comes in the wake of CCTV footage surfacing, which appears to show her attempting to steal items from high-end clothing stores in Auckland and Wellington. Ms Ghahraman, addressing the allegations for the first time, acknowledged the impact of her mental health on her actions, saying, “It is clear to me that my mental health is being badly affected by the stresses relating to my work.

This has led me to act in ways that are completely out of character. I am not trying to excuse my actions, but I do want to explain them. People should, rightly, expect the highest standards of behavior from their elected representatives.

I fell short. I’m sorry. ” She further added that resigning from her parliamentary role and focusing on recovery was crucial for her mental well-being.

“The best thing for my mental health is to resign as a member of parliament and to focus on my recovery and to find other ways to work for positive change in the world,” she expressed. The initial accusations against the 43-year-old MP surfaced on Newstalk ZB Plus on January 10, indicating her involvement in shoplifting incidents at Scotties Boutique in Auckland during the festive season. While police have acknowledged the investigation, they have not confirmed specific individual identities.

Further inquiries are ongoing into another shoplifting incident involving Ms Ghahraman at Cre8iveworx, a Wellington store. Cre8iveworx reported the incident to the police on October 26, following suspicions about Ms. Ghahraman’s presence in the store in October last year.

Green Party leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw, after days of silence, held a press conference where they announced accepting Ms. Ghahraman’s resignation, emphasizing the importance of accountability. Ms.

Davidson remarked, “It’s important to understand that all MPs are still human. ” Mr. Shaw expressed disappointment in the circumstances and the necessity for Ms.

Ghahraman to take accountability and seek support. He also highlighted the increased stress Ms Ghahraman faced due to physical threats since her election, including continuous threats of sexual violence and death. “There are going to be consequences for that.

I have a lot of empathy for the fact that she has identified that she is in a state of mental distress. Everyone will have criticisms about how we handled [the situation]. It doesn’t change the outcome.

Ultimately, she is taking accountability for her actions and is seeking help,” he said. In her statement, Ms Ghahraman took full responsibility for her actions, which she deeply regrets, and cited her mental health professional’s assessment linking her behavior to extreme stress response and unrecognised trauma. Ms Ghahraman, who entered politics in 2017, was New Zealand’s first refugee Member of Parliament and held nine portfolios, including justice, foreign affairs, human rights, defense, refugees, and women.

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