Police investigating Golriz Ghahraman allegation - this time in Wellington

Monday, 15 January 2024

Golriz Ghahraman has been an MP since 2017.

Police are investigating another shoplifting allegation seemingly involving Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, this time in relation to a Wellington store.

Cre8iveworx emailed other businesses in the city on Monday saying they believed Ghahraman was in the premises in October last year.

The store sells high-end dresses, gifts, jewellery and homeware.

Cre8iveworx is a fashion and homewares store on Cuba St in central Wellington.

A police spokesperson confirmed they received a shoplifting report from Cre8iveworx about an incident on October 26. The spokesperson on Monday told Stuff “inquiries into the matter are ongoing”.

Store owner Melanie Smith emailed other businesses on Monday, saying she had laid a complaint and mentioned Ghahraman by name. She included images appearing to show Ghahraman in the shop.

The Green Party has confirmed Golriz Ghahraman has been stood down from her portfolios over the issue.

The email was shared with Stuff. Further details remain unclear. Stuff contacted Smith who said: “This is an ongoing investigation, so at this stage I wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing this case. I do, however, hope justice is served.”

This was the third shoplifting allegation against Ghahraman. On Friday, the Green Party confirmed it was speaking with the Auckland store Scotties Boutique after becoming aware of two allegations that its MP had stolen from the luxury store.

Ghahraman arrived back in New Zealand on Monday morning from a holiday overseas. The Green Party has spoken to her since she arrived back but hasn’t said anything about the allegations since Friday.

Ghahraman has not responded to Stuff’s repeated requests for comment, including on the most recent allegation.

The Green MP, who stood down from her various portfolios last week after the first allegation emerged, has not spoken publicly about the accusations. Stuff understands her own party struggled to contact her while she was holidaying as the shoplifting allegations emerged.

A police spokesperson confirmed they were investigating an incident from December 23 at Scotties Boutique.

Ghahraman has not been charged. Last week, a police spokesperson said they were making “initial inquiries” into the December 23 shoplifting report.

Before entering politics in 2017, Ghahraman was a human rights lawyer. She was the first ever refugee to become an MP in New Zealand.

Scotties Boutique co-owner Sonja Batt and staff at the store have declined to comment to Stuff.

Do you know more? Email glenn.mcconnell@stuff.co.nz