New Zealand Greens MP Golriz Gharaman—the first refugee to become a parliamentarian—has quit Parliament as allegations of shoplifting mount.
The allegations centre on two clothing retailers Scotties Boutique in Auckland and Wellington’s Cre8iveworx.
Police have confirmed they are investigating one incident, which occurred on Dec. 23, but have refused to comment on whether any other allegations are being looked into.
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw appear to have confirmed additional allegations, referring in a statement to an incident on Dec. 27, and another at the same store.
The third event—at Cre8iveworx on Wellington’s Cuba Street—is alleged to have occurred on Oct. 26 last year, shortly after the national election.
Cre8iveworx sent an email to the police-run “Eyes on” crime prevention network on Jan. 15, naming Ms. Ghahraman while including CCTV images of her in the store in October.
The email claimed she took a “substantial value of goods” and said it was “beyond disappointing that someone in this position should be targeting a small independent boutique.”
Ms. Gharaman announced her resignation in a statement in which she said she had fallen short of the high standards expected of elected representatives and apologised.
She claimed work-related stress had led her 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. The mental health professional I see says my recent behaviour is consistent with recent events giving rise to extreme stress response, and relating to previously unrecognised trauma.
“I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry. It’s not a behaviour I can explain because it’s not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I’m not well.”
“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.”
Ms. Ghahraman also thanked Scotties Boutique “for the kindness and empathy they have shown me.”
The Green Party co-leaders, Ms. Davidson and Mr. Shaw said they supported her decision to resign and that the departing MP had been a leading voice in Parliament for human rights, foreign policy, and electoral reform.
They also noted that it “is clear to us that Ms Ghahraman is in a state of extreme distress.
“Nothing detracts from that work and we know she will continue to support those communities in future. We cannot comment on the details of allegations while police investigations are continuing”.
Ms. Ghahraman was ranked seventh on the Green Party list and held 10 spokesperson portfolios, including Justice, Defence, and Foreign Affairs.
Because she was elected under the MMP system to a list seat, and does not represent an electorate, there will be no byelection. Instead, the next person on the Green’s list—former Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown—will fill the vacant position.
To date, Ms. Ghahraman has not been charged with any offence.
