Green MP Golriz Ghahraman has resigned from Parliament.
From the Herald:
“It is a great honour to serve as a Member of Parliament. 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,” Ghahraman said.
The Green MP said that her mental health had been “badly affected” by the stress of her work as an MP.
“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,” she said.
”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,” Ghahraman said.
”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,” she said.
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw said it was clear Ghahraman was in a “state of extreme distress” and supported her decision to resign.
“Green MPs are expected to maintain high standards of public behaviour,” they said in a joint statement.
“It is clear to us that Ms Ghahraman is in a state of extreme distress. She has taken responsibility and apologised.
“We support the decision she has made to resign.”
Former Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown is the next person on the Green Party list.
She came to New Zealand as an asylum seeker. Dealing with childhood trauma can have devastating effects on later life.
Go well Golriz. Take time out to mend yourself.
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