Former MP Golriz Ghahraman under investigation again for shoplifting

Thursday, 16 January 2025

Police are investigating another complaint of shoplifting against former MP Golriz Ghahraman, this time from a supermarket.

The alleged shoplifting incident reportedly happened at Pak’nSave Royal Oak in late 2024.

Police confirmed to Stuff a shoplifting complaint from late 2024 was under investigation. No charges had been laid.

Stuff understands Ghahraman, a former Green MP, is the subject of the complaint.

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Her lawyer declined to comment when contacted on Wednesday evening.

A Foodstuffs spokesperson said it had responsibilities when it came to privacy.

'Providing information on whether an individual is known or not known to our retail crime teams is not something we can help you with I’m afraid.'

The company's North Islands stores reported 4500 to 5000 retail crime incidents each quarter, he added.

Ghahraman was convicted of shoplifting $8367 worth of goods from three different clothing stores in Ponsonby, Newmarket and Wellington last year.

She resigned from the Green Party shortly after the allegations came to light in January 2024.

Ghahraman unsuccessfully applied for a discharge without conviction due to her being in a mental health crisis at the time of her offending, linked to her receiving regular threats and abuse while she was an MP.

A medical report provided to the court said she had been diagnosed with complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder.

Despite crown solicitor Alysha McClintock agreeing that Ghahraman had received 'abhorrent' online abuse, Judge June Jelas convicted her of shoplifting and ordered her to pay a fine of $1600 and $260 in court costs.