Golriz Ghahraman, who is New Zealand’s first refugee MP, decided to resign from her post amidst shoplifting allegations against her, find out more about her along with her partner and salary
The Iranian-born MP stated how her work stress and mental health issues caused her to act completely out of character.
Who is Golriz Ghahraman, New Zealand’s first refugee MP who resigned following shoplifting allegations, bio, age, education, career, and more
I feel like they’re purposely choosing photos of Golriz Ghahraman in Palestinian symbols to tar the Palestinian cause too?
Fuck em though. We stand with Golriz pic.twitter.com/JzyGFLZM2f
— Tameem | تميم (@TameeOliveFern) January 16, 2024
This headline falls short
"The rise and fall of Golriz Ghahraman: refugee, human rights lawyer, former MP, and shoplifter"
That's better pic.twitter.com/FWteJc4YMy
— Adnan Belushi (@adnanbelushi) January 16, 2024
Aside from her political career, she has also authored a book titled, “Know Your Place”, which was originally published in 2020.
Golriz Ghahraman resigns from her post
Ghahraman, who hails from the New Zealand Green Party, resigned on Monday from her post as an MP. She handed in the resignation amidst an ongoing investigation over allegations of shoplifting at various high-end local boutiques on three occasions. While making her official statement, Ghahraman cited mental health issues and work stress as the reasons behind her resignation. The MP avoided addressing the accusations against her and simply added that her work stress and mental health issues have:
led to her acting in a way that was completely out of character. I am not trying to excuse my actions, but I do want to explain them.”
She shared about how her mental Health professional revealed that her recent behaviour is consistent with recent events, adding that the recent events have caused an extreme stress response, related to previously unrecognised trauma.
Ghahraman further added:
People should, rightly, expect the highest standards of behaviour from their elected representatives. I fell short. I am sorry. It’s not a behaviour that I can explain because it’s not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I’m not well.”
Golriz Ghahraman facing shoplifting accusations
According to local reports, Golriz is facing allegations of shoplifting at Scotties Boutique in Ponsonby, Auckland, and Cre8iveworkz in Wellington. The New Zealand Police stated that they are currently probing an incident at a Ponsonby store in December. However, they did not give any other details nor confirm Ghamraman’s involvement.
Golriz Ghahraman bio
Golriz Ghahraman is an Iranian-born New Zealand politician and author who was born in 1981 in Mashhad, Iran. She is currently 43 years old and belongs to the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. She was born to parents, Behrooz Ghahraman, and Maryam Ghafoori. Notably, Golriz is the first refugee elected to New Zealand’s Parliament.
While she is currently single, Golriz Ghahraman’s former partner Guy Williams has opened up about her resignation.
Ghahraman, who like most MP’s doesn’t have to pay for a single thing is raking in a $170,000 a year salary.
Career and profession
Golriz has previously worked as a former United Nations lawyer before she got elected as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament back in 2017.
Education
During her childhood, Golriz Ghahraman attended Auckland Girls’ Grammar School and latere attended the University of Auckland and University of Oxford.