New Zealand’s First Refugee MP Resigns Amid Shoplifting Allegations

Wellington: Golriz Ghahraman, the first refugee elected to New Zealand’s parliament, resigned on Tuesday amid allegations of shoplifting from boutique clothing stores. The Green Party MP and justice spokesperson, currently under police investigation, attributed her actions to personal stress and trauma.

In a statement, Ghahraman acknowledged falling short of political standards and expressed the need for time to address her mental health. The former human rights lawyer cited work-related stress leading to behaviour “completely out of character” and stated that recent actions were consistent with extreme stress responses and unrecognized trauma, as identified by her mental health professional.

Ghahraman, who moved to New Zealand as a refugee from Iran, studied law and worked as a United Nations human rights lawyer before entering parliament in 2017. The alleged theft incidents occurred in late 2023 at luxury clothing stores in Auckland and Wellington.

The Greens had previously announced Ghahraman’s resignation from portfolio responsibilities pending the outcome of the police investigation. Party leaders noted the intense pressure she faced, especially due to her involvement in pro-Palestine protests and highlighted the continuous threats of violence and death she experienced since her election.

While expressing empathy for Ghahraman’s extreme mental distress, Green Party co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson supported her decision to resign. Davidson lamented the loss of a “lone voice” on several portfolios and highlighted the challenges faced by women, particularly women of colour, with public profiles.