New Zealanders react to resignation of Green MP Golriz Ghahraman after shoplifting allegations

Watch: The Green Party co-leaders front reporters on Tuesday. Credits: Newshub.

Reactions have been mixed to the resignation of Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, who announced she was leaving Parliament on Tuesday.

It comes after she was accused of shoplifting on three separate occasions from clothing stores last year.

Comedian Guy Williams, who is Ghahraman's former partner, said on X he was "gutted" to see her resign.

"She was a strong and sometimes radical voice for so many Kiwis who previously didn't have much representation," he wrote.

"She's always been a good friend to me and I'm glad she's taking time to get back to being the person we all know and love."

Ghahraman has been an MP since 2017. The party stood her down last Wednesday when the first allegation emerged.

She apologised on Tuesday after returning from a trip overseas, saying her "mental health is being badly affected by the stresses relating to my work".

Broadcaster Moana Maniapoto also shared her thoughts on X.

"Oh my goodness, that's sad. Lots of aroha to [Golriz]. Kia kaha," she wrote.

Columnist Donna Miles also shared well-wishes.

"Kia kaha to Golriz. I sincerely hope she's given the privacy and the space she's asked for."

Commentator Russell Brown said on X "this was the correct decision and I hope she'll be left alone to get herself right as a private citizen."

However bar owner and former Auckland mayoral candidate Leo Molloy took a swipe at Ghahraman.

"I don't want to hide behind my mental health problems....but I'm going to. Talk about thick skinned!" he wrote.

Labour MP for Taieri Ingrid Leary said there was "never a dull moment" in politics.

"I guess this is one of those sad and poignant reminders that it's difficult to know when you wake up in the morning, in the political world, what's going to happen," she told The Platform host Michael Laws.

Wellington councillor Rebecca Matthews said on X she's no longer shocked "when any politician goes off the rails".

"It's a very hard life and we all need to reckon with what we could do to make it less damaging to individuals. I thank Golriz for the role she played and the work she did and wish her the very best."

A couple of global media outlets have also picked up the story, including The Guardian and Bloomberg.

Green co-leaders front reporters

The Green Party's co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw fronted reporters on Tuesday.

"Ghahraman has worked tirelessly on behalf of her communities. Nothing detracts from this work, and we know that she will continue to represent and support those communities in the future," said Shaw.

Shaw stressed they can't comment on the allegations while police investigations continue.

Davidson said Ghahraman had been "clearly distressed".

"Our responsibility is to make sure she has the support that's needed, and to continue to give her aroha and compassion."