Golriz Ghahraman resigns after shoplifting allegations
Green Party co-leaders say Golriz Ghahraman faced threats of sexual and physical violence while working as an MP.
Their comments follow her resignation today after allegations of shoplifting. She said that her mental health had been “badly affected” by the stress of her work as an MP.
Green Party leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson told a press conference this afternoon that they supported her decision to resign and that she was in a state of extreme stress.
Shaw said, “obviously Parliament is a stressful place for anybody, but Ghahraman has been subject to continuous threats of sexual violence, physical violence, and death threats”.
He said she faced a higher level of threat than other MPs. There had been police investigations into the threats.
Michael Wood reacts to Ghahraman's resignation in Tweet
Bailey Brannon
I have no particular knowledge or insight into the events that led to Golriz's resignation from parliament, but found her to be a highly capable and decent MP & colleague.
She was a genuine conviction politician who didn't just speak to what she believed in, but was also highly effective at campaigning and mobilising people to win on an issue.
Much has been made of her contribution to a more representative parliament due to her refugee background - that's valuable but she made a significant contribution beyond that by becoming an effective advocate.
I clashed with her from time to time, such as on the Mass Arrivals Bill last year (still think she was wrong) , but could recognise she took the positions she did for the right reasons.
We don't want a parliament of trained repeaters who can deliver their lines but little else, we need more people of conviction & capability like Golriz.
She's had a big stumble but no one outside those closest to her knows what is going on really.
We should all wish her health, happiness, & future opportunities to apply her talents.
Sophie Ryan
Shaw said the "facts of the situation" were not clear in December, after the party first became aware of the allegations of shoplifting.
He said the party contacted both Scotties and Ghahraman for more information.
They received a further allegation on 5 January.
"We felt it would be best for her to stand aside from her portfolios while the investigation was ongoing," Shaw said.
This process was thrown up in the air when the allegations became public knowledge.
Sophie Ryan
Shaw said he had spoken to Celia Wade-Brown, the former Wellington Mayor who is the next on the Green Party list.
Shaw confirmed she would take up Ghahraman's seat and become an MP.
Sophie Ryan
"In disclosing her mental health issues, she is not looking for an excuse here... she is seeking to explain her actions, not justify it," Shaw said.
'She's getting a lot of support'
Sophie Ryan
"Golriz is getting a lot of support from her colleagues in the Green caucus, and from members and so on," Shaw said.
He said Ghahraman was getting professional support too.
"We have offered any support that we can provide," Shaw said.
Sophie Ryan
Shaw said he only found out about the allegation of shoplifting from Wellington yesterday.
"It's a police investigation. We would not expect privileged access to that," Shaw said.
Sophie Ryan
Ghahraman subject to threats - Shaw
Sophie Ryan
Shaw said "obviously Parliament is a stressful place for anybody, but Ghahraman has been subject to continuous threats of sexual violence, physical violence, and death threats".
He said she faced a higher level of threat than other MPs.
There have been police investigations into those threats throughout her career as an MP.
Sophie Ryan
"I want to mihi to Scotties who have been generously providing us with information," Davidson said.
She said the retailers involved had been "generous" with their communication to the Greens amid the "distressing" situation.
Sophie Ryan
"I'm losing a friend and a colleague who I have been close to and have worked with for six years," Davidson said.
Davidson said Ghahraman had been a "lone voice" on many of her portfolio interests.
Sophie Ryan
Davidson said the reshuffle of Ghahraman's portfolios would come "in due course".
Ghahraman has been cooperative - leaders say
Sophie Ryan
Shaw said that Ghahraman only got back to New Zealand over the weekend, which was the reason why it had taken so long for her to respond and for the leaders to address the issue.
He said she had been "very" cooperative.
He said the ongoing police investigation was also a reason for the delay.
Davidson said that it had been important to have "face-to-face" conversations.
'She's clearly distressed'
Sophie Ryan
Co-leader Marama Davidson said Ghahraman was "clearly distressed".
"We know this is the right decision for her, for her wellbeing," Davidson said.
Sophie Ryan
Shaw said he had no detail about Scotties, the boutique that had allegedly been shoplifted, and whether it had been reimbursed for any stolen products.
Sophie Ryan
Green co-leader James Shaw said "It is clear to us that Ms Ghahraman is in a state of extreme distress. She has taken responsibility and apologised. We support the decision she has made to resign".
Shaw said he could not comment on the details of allegations while police investigations were ongoing.
Sophie Ryan
Greens told of shoplifting issue in December
Sophie Ryan
The Green Party has known about the allegations of shoplifting since December 27.
The party leaders are due to speak to media at 1.30pm.
They haven't spoken earlier because Ghahraman was overseas and returned to the country yesterday.
NZ Herald will be livestreaming the standup above.
Sophie Ryan
Sophie Ryan
- Green MP Golriz Ghahraman has resigned with immediate effect after claims she shoplifted from designer stores.
- She was under immense political pressure following allegations of two incidents of shoplifting from Scotties Boutique in Ponsonby as well as a third allegation relating to Wellington store Cre8iveworx.
- She said that her mental health had been “badly affected” by the stress of her work as an MP and she's "focusing on recovery".
Green Party leaders to front on Golriz resignation
Sophie Ryan
Golriz Ghahraman has resigned with immediate effect as a Green Party MP after allegations of three instances of shoplifting arose last week.
James Shaw and Marama Davidson are holding a press conference at 1.30pm to take questions from the media about her resignation.
In a statement earlier, Ghahraman said the stress had led her to act in ways that were “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.
“People should, rightly, expect the highest standards of behaviour from their elected representatives. I fell short. I’m 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.”
Ghahraman thanked Scotties Boutique on Blake St in Ponsonby, an upmarket clothing store, for the “kindness and empathy” they had shown her.
“I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry.
“It is a great honour to serve as a Member of Parliament. I am proud of my advocacy work on human rights and foreign affairs, and particularly proud of campaigns that resulted in practical improvements to the electoral laws governing donations and overseas voting.”
The police investigation
Ghahraman had come under immense political pressure following allegations of two incidents of shoplifting from Scotties, as well as a third allegation, this time coming from Wellington store Cre8iveworx.
One incident occurred on December 23, but it has since emerged that another occurred in the weeks beforehand. The incident on December 23 is currently the subject of a police investigation.
Ghahraman has not been charged but police said they received reports of alleged shoplifting.
Shaw told media this afternoon the “facts of the situation” were not clear in December, after the party first became aware of the allegations of shoplifting.
He said the party contacted both Scotties and Ghahraman.
They received a further allegation on January 5.
“We felt it would be best for her to stand aside from her portfolios while the investigation was ongoing,” Shaw said.
This process was thrown up in the air when the allegations became public knowledge.
Shaw said the party had only been made aware of the Wellington allegation yesterday.
“It’s a police investigation. We would not expect privileged access to that,” Shaw said.
He said Ghahraman only got back to New Zealand over the weekend, which was the reason why things had taken so long. He said she had been “very” co-operative.
“We don’t want to do the police’s job here. What is important is that she is taking responsibility,” Shaw said.
‘Losing a friend’
Ghahraman was getting a lot of support from her colleagues in the Green caucus, from members as well as professional support.
“We have offered any support that we can provide.
Davidson said Scotties had been “generous” with their communication to the Greens.
“We know this is the right decision for her, for her wellbeing.
“I’m losing a friend and a colleague who I have been close to and have worked with for six years,” Davidson said.
She said the reshuffle of Ghahraman’s portfolios would come “in due course”.
“There is likely to be an interim reshuffle of portfolios in the meantime,” Davidson said.
‘Extreme distress’
In a statement earlier today, Davidson and James Shaw said it was clear Ghahraman was in a “state of extreme distress” and supported her decision to resign.
“Green MPs are expected to maintain high standards of public behaviour,” they said in a joint statement.
“It is clear to us that Ms Ghahraman is in a state of extreme distress. She has taken responsibility and apologised.
“We support the decision she has made to resign.”
Shaw said he had spoken to Celia Wade-Brown, the former Wellington Mayor who is the next on the Green Party list.
Shaw confirmed she would take up Ghahraman’s seat and become an MP.
“Celia is a very, very experienced politician.”
He said the new MP had interests in transport and housing, and had won seven elections in her career including two elections to the Wellington mayoralty.
“She’s going to rock the place.”
Davidson and Shaw said Ghahraman had “worked tirelessly” for her communities, citing her advocacy in Parliament on human rights, foreign policy and electoral reform.
”Her political achievements are significant. Nothing detracts from that work and we know she will continue to support those communities in the future.
”We are deeply sorry to see Ms Ghahraman leave under these circumstances and we wish her all the best for the future.
The co-leaders wouldn’t comment on Ghahraman’s shoplifting allegations, given police investigations were ongoing.
On Monday evening, Ghahraman was hit by a third allegation, this time from a high-end Wellington store Cre8iveworx.
Stuff reported Cre8iveworx emailed other businesses in the capital with an allegation it believed Ghahraman was in the premises in October last year.
Cre8iveworx owner Melanie Smith said in her email that she had laid a police complaint, mentioned Ghahraman by name, and included images appearing to show Ghahraman in the store, Stuff has reported.
Police confirmed to the Herald they received a report of shoplifting at Cre8iveworx on October 26 last year.
The police are currently investigating. If convicted, Ghahraman would likely have to give up her seat in Parliament. MPs convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment for life or by two or more years’ imprisonment must vacate their seats.
Stealing valued at more than $1000 would be enough to trigger that part of the Electoral Act.
Full statement from Golriz Ghahraman
”It is a great honour to serve as a Member of Parliament. I am proud of my advocacy work on human rights and foreign affairs, and particularly proud of campaigns that resulted in practical improvements to the electoral laws governing donations and overseas voting.
”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 behaviour from their elected representatives. I fell short. I’m 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 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.
”With that in mind, I don’t want to hide behind my mental health problems, and I take full responsibility for my actions which I deeply regret.
”I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry.
”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.
”I will therefore be resigning from Parliament immediately.
”I want to thank the many communities and people who have supported me over the years. I will continue to work with and to advocate for those communities however I can, as best I can.
”I also want to especially thank Scotties Boutique for the kindness and empathy they have shown me.
”I now ask for people to give me the space and privacy I need to get better. I won’t be commenting further at this time.”