A New Zealand Member of Parliament (MP) was on Wednesday, January 17 charged with shoplifting, a day after she resigned with immediate effect.

According to New Zealand police, Golriz Ghahraman is linked to shoplifting from boutique stores. This comes after they questioned her at her home, “as part of an investigation into shoplifting reports that are subject to ongoing public interest”.

Although police did not name Golriz as the woman charged with shoplifting, several New Zealand media identified the lawmaker.

“A 43-year-old woman has been summonsed to appear in the Auckland District Court on two charges of shoplifting,” the police statement said.

Golriz, the first refugee to have been elected to New Zealand’s parliament, is expected to return to court on February 1, 2024.

‘Address mental health issues’

In her first public statement after the resignation, Golriz — who was also the Justice spokesperson — said she was stepping down so as to address her mental health.

“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,” Golriz,  who served as an MP for six years, said.

She added: “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.”

For Golriz Ghahraman full resignation statement, click here>>>

The first allegation was brought to light by Newstalk ZB Plus on January 10 this year, where Golriz was accused of shoplifting from a boutique that specialises in luxury brands in Ponsonby, a suburb in Auckland.