Embattled Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman has resigned after three shoplifting allegations were levelled against her.
She was quitting politics and would find "other ways to work for positive change in the world", she said in a statement on Tuesday. It's the first time she has spoken out since the first allegation emerged last week.
Ghahraman, who first entered politics in 2017, stood aside from her portfolios last week after allegations emerged she had shoplifted from Scotties in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby on December 23.
Two more accusations have since emerged - including a second alleged incident at Scotties and a third at Wellington store Cre8iveworx.
Ghahraman said it was a "great honour" to serve as an MP.
"I am proud of my advocacy work on human rights and foreign affairs, and particularly proud of campaigns that resulted in practical improvements to the electoral laws governing donations and overseas voting," she said in a statement. "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."
She added she wasn't "trying to excuse my actions, but I do want to explain them".
"People should, rightly, expect the highest standards of behaviour from their elected representatives. I fell short," she said.
"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.
"With that in mind, I don't want to hide behind my mental health problems and I take full responsibility for my actions which I deeply regret.
"I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry."
Ghahraman entered Parliament on the Greens' list in 2017. During her time in the party, she's held multiple portfolios including justice, defence and ethnic communities.
She said she wanted to "thank the many communities and people who have supported me over the years".
"I will continue to work with and to advocate for those communities however I can, as best I can," her statement said. "I also want to especially thank Scotties Boutique for the kindness and empathy they have shown me," she said, requesting privacy.
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson and James Shaw said Ghahraman had "worked tirelessly on behalf of her communities".
"It is clear to us that Ms Ghahraman is in a state of extreme distress. She has taken responsibility and apologised," they said in a statement. "We support the decision she has made to resign."
