Golriz Ghahraman (Persian: گلریز قهرمان; born 1981) is a New Zealand former politician, lawyer and writer. The former United Nations lawyer was a child asylum seeker, and became the first refugee elected to New Zealand's Parliament.[1] Ghahraman was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for the Green Party from 2017 to 2024, when she resigned amid multiple shoplifting allegations, which she was later convicted of.
Golriz Ghahraman | |
---|---|
گلریز قهرمان | |
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Green party list | |
In office 7 October 2017 – 18 January 2024 | |
Succeeded by | Celia Wade-Brown[n 1] |
Personal details | |
Born | 1981 (age 42–43) Mashhad, Iran |
Political party | Green |
Domestic partner | Guy Williams (2016–2020) |
Alma mater | |
Profession | Barrister, politician |
Website | New Zealand Parliament profile |
Early life and education
Ghahraman was born in Iran in 1981.[2] Her family lived in Mashhad, Iran's second largest city, where her father, an agricultural engineer, worked for the Ministry of Agriculture on the research and development of plant-based alternative fuels.[1] Her mother studied as a child psychologist but was ethically opposed to "psychologists having to pledge allegiance to a religion" so refused to sit the Islamic examinations required for her to practice and never worked as such.[3][4] Her father was Shia and her mother a Kurdish Sunni, though neither parent was religious.[3]
In 1990, following the end of the Iran–Iraq War, nine-year-old Ghahraman and her family left Iran for Malaysia, ostensibly for a holiday.[5] From Malaysia they booked flights to Fiji, with a stopover in Auckland, where they sought political asylum and were accepted as refugees. Her parents later set up a restaurant and a gift shop in Auckland and did not work in their earlier areas of expertise.[3]
Ghahraman attended Auckland Girls' Grammar School.[6] She has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Auckland,[7] and a Master of Studies (MSt) degree in International Human Rights Law with Distinction from the University of Oxford.[8]
Professional life
Ghahraman entered legal practice in New Zealand working as a junior barrister specialising in criminal defence, describing it as "the most frontline human rights area of law you can work in practice in in New Zealand; every day you are applying the Bill of Rights Act and you're dealing with unlawful detention, searches and discrimination."[7][9]
Ghahraman worked as a lawyer for the United Nations as part of both the defence and prosecution teams with the tribunals in Rwanda, Cambodia and The Hague.[10] She had worked on tribunals such as the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, volunteering as an intern; and was assigned to the defence team. Her work on the defence teams of accused and convicted war criminals such as Radovan Karadžić and Simon Bikindi, has caused her controversy, although she has claimed transparency throughout.[11][12][13]
Ghahraman returned to New Zealand in 2012 and worked as a barrister, specialising in human rights law and criminal defence. She appeared before the Supreme Court of New Zealand in a case which ultimately led to the police overhauling their rules about undercover operations.[14][15][16]
Political career
Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017–2020 | 52nd | List | 8 | Green | |
2020–2023 | 53rd | List | 7 | Green | |
2023–2024 | 54th | List | 7 | Green |
Ghahraman was selected as a Green party list candidate in January 2017 for the 2017 general election. She was ranked at eight on the Green party list and contested the Te Atatū electorate, where she won 1,413 votes and placed fourth.[17] On the provisional results on election night the Greens did not attain a high enough party vote for Ghahraman to enter Parliament, though a slight increase for the Greens in the special vote saw her allocated a seat.[18] After the Greens gained 0.5% of the vote in special votes she was duly elected to Parliament, in so doing becoming New Zealand's first refugee MP.[19] Her maiden speech, delivered on 15 November 2017, detailed Ghahraman's refugee story and subsequent career as a human rights lawyer.[20]
In November 2017, it was revealed that, along with prosecuting war criminals, Ghahraman had also volunteered as an intern for the legal defence team of accused war criminals such as Radovan Karadžić, as part of her work with the United Nations.[21] She defended her role in this work, claiming that her role was necessary to "maintaining a fair and robust trial process," that she was "proud to have been involved in that tradition of fair and transparent international justice," and that, given the choice, she would "do it again".[21]
Ghahraman was re-elected a Green Party list MP at the 2020 New Zealand election and 2023 New Zealand general election, ranked seventh on the list each time. She contested, unsuccessfully, the Mount Roskill electorate in 2020 and the Kelston electorate in 2023, placing third in each behind their Labour Party incumbents.[22][23][24][25]
Ghahraman's portfolio responsibilities within the Green Party included foreign affairs, defence, and justice; she held those roles from 2017 to 2024. She also held responsibility for immigration (2017–2020), customs (2018–2020), ethnic communities (2020–2024) and refugees (2020–2024).[26][27] She sat on the foreign affairs, defence, and trade committee during her entire parliamentary career.[26]
Electoral reform
Ghahraman was outspoken on electoral reform issues. In early March 2019, she submitted a member's bill, the Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill, that proposed reforms to seven areas of the Electoral Act 1993 including lowering the country's mixed member proportional (MMP) threshold from 5% to 4%, giving prisoners the right to vote, limiting the total amount of donations to political parties, banning foreign donations to political parties, allowing Māori voters to switch electoral rolls at any time, and lowering the voting age to 16 years.[28][29][30] Deputy prime minister Winston Peters and Opposition leader Simon Bridges criticised Ghahraman's bill as opportunistic.[31]
The Strengthening Democracy bill was drawn from the ballot in mid-May 2022. That August, Attorney-General David Parker expressed concern that the bill's proposed donation cap could potentially breach the right to free speech.[32] The bill was defeated at its first reading in September 2022.[33] Nonetheless, much of the proposals in the bill were progressed. The Labour–New Zealand First coalition government banned foreign donations in 2019 and re-enfranchised of short-term prisoners in 2020;[34][35] the Labour majority government reformed the Māori electoral option in 2022 and introduced, but did not complete, legislation to lower the voting age for local government elections.[36][37]
Shoplifting and resignation
On 10 January 2024, Ghahraman stood aside from her portfolios after being accused of shoplifting at Scottie's Boutique in Ponsonby.[38][39] On 12 January, a second shoplifting allegation at Scottie's Boutique against Ghahraman was reported. Police later confirmed that they were investigating the first shoplifting incident, which occurred in late December 2023.[40] Green co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson said the party was aware of the shoplifting allegations. On 15 January, a Green party spokesperson said that Ghahraman had returned from an overseas trip to New Zealand that day.[41] That same day, police said they were investigating a third shoplifting allegation involving Ghahraman at the Wellington-based boutique store Cre8iveworx in October 2023.[42]
On 16 January 2024, Ghahraman announced her resignation as a member of parliament for the Green Party, effective 18 January.[43][44] In her statement, Ghahraman said a mental health evaluation found that her behaviour was "not rational in any way" due to "an extreme stress response ... relating to previously unrecognised trauma." She said, "I am not 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. I’m sorry".[45] Her place in Parliament was filled by Celia Wade-Brown, a former Mayor of Wellington, who was the next candidate on the Green Party's list at the 2023 election.[46]
On 17 January, Police said Ghahraman had been charged with two counts of shoplifting and that investigations into the allegations were continuing. Ghahraman is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on 1 February 2024.[47] On 23 January, Police announced a third shoplifting charge, relating to alleged offending at a Wellington retailer on 22 October 2023.[48] On 29 January, fellow Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick rejected an online conspiracy theory that she had appeared in CCTV footage of Ghahraman shoplifting at Scottie's Boutique.[49] In total, she was accused of stealing $9978 worth of items under the first three charges.[50]
On 27 February, Newshub reported that Ghahraman was facing a fourth shoplifting charge in relation to the theft of a cardigan valued at NZ$389 from Newmarket retailer Standard Issue.[50] On 13 March she pleaded guilty to all four charges.[51]
On 27 June 2024, she was convicted of four charges of shoplifting and fined $1600 and court costs of $260. She was denied a discharge without conviction.[52] During an exclusive interview with TVNZ journalist John Campbell, Ghahraman described her shoplifting as acts of "self-sabotage" motivated by work-related stress and online bullying.[53] In October 2024, Ghahraman appealed the four shoplifting convictions; her lawyer argued the convictions may impact Ghahraman's application for a job at the International Criminal Court.[54] The request for a discharge without conviction was denied.[55]
Views and positions
David Seymour controversy
In mid-May 2019, ACT Party leader David Seymour sparked controversy with comments made during a radio interview, where he referred to Ghahraman as a "menace to freedom in [New Zealand]" and likened her views on hate speech to tactics used by Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, and Adolf Hitler to "gain power through the suppression of free expression". The statement drew immediate responses from all political sides of the New Zealand Parliament.[56]
Human rights
Ghahraman spoke out against United States President Donald Trump's travel ban, saying in 2017: "I wouldn't travel to America right now. I wouldn't want to face what people are facing – held in handcuffs and being interrogated by security forces, [...] I wouldn't want that [border detention] for anyone."[57]
She believes representation for women and minorities in politics is important: "Ultimately the sinister face of populism is what really pushed me over the edge to run as a candidate. The hate speech became scary. I knew that representation is important. I knew that to stop the very real attacks against minorities and women, we had to get really active, to support each other, and forge paths. We have to become leaders ourselves."[58]
In early March 2019, Ghahraman suggested that the New Zealand Government cooperate with any potential Kurdish and United Nations process to bring home captured New Zealand Jihadist Mark John Taylor, who had joined the Islamic State in 2014.[59]
She was one of four women MPs from different political parties who co-sponsored legislation banning female genital mutilation in New Zealand in 2020.[60]
Israel–Palestine
In mid-July 2019, Ghahraman was accused of anti-Semitism by New Zealand Jewish Council spokesperson Juliet Moses after she published a tweet on 11 July describing Mary and Joseph as Palestinian refugees. Moses alleged that Ghahraman was denying the Jewish connection to the land by not recognising Jesus was Jewish. Ghahraman apologised that her comments had offended the Jewish community, thanking the Jewish community for their support for refugees. A Green Party spokesperson responded that Golriz had apologised for her "poorly worded remarks" and said that Ghahraman was going to work with Jewish communities to improve dialogue.[61] In response, left-wing blogger Martyn "Bomber" Bradbury defended Ghahraman and the Green Party from accusations of anti-Semitism, arguing that this was an attempt to deflect from Israel's occupation of Palestinian land.[62]
In December 2020, Ghahraman joined fellow Green MP Teanau Tuiono and Labour MP Ibrahim Omer in pledging to form a new parliamentary Palestine friendship group to "raise the voices of Palestinian peoples in the New Zealand Parliament" during an event organised by the Wellington Palestine advocacy group to mark "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians".[63]
In response to the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, Ghahraman criticised what she regarded as the New Zealand Government's slow response in issuing a statement on the conflict. She also criticised Israel for encouraging "very violent systemic attacks" on the Palestinian population in East Jerusalem and bombarding Gaza.[64] In response, the New Zealand Jewish Council accused Ghahraman of misrepresenting the Sheikh Jarrah dispute and ignoring Hamas' rocket attacks on Israelis, which in their view made her unfit to serve as the Greens' foreign affairs spokesperson.[65]
On 19 May, Ghahraman sponsored a motion calling for members of parliament to recognise the right of Palestinians to self-determination and statehood. The motion was supported by the Greens and the Māori Party but was opposed by the centre-right National and ACT parties. The governing Labour Party also declined to support the Greens' motion with the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard criticising Ghahraman for sponsoring the motion despite knowing that it was going to be voted down.[66][67]
In response to criticism by ACT Party deputy leader Brooke Van Velden, Ghahraman also defended fellow Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March's tweet that said: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!" Ghahraman claimed that March was defending the rights of both Arabs and Jews to having equal rights in their homeland.[66]
In response to the Israel–Hamas war, Ghahraman described the "scenes in Israel" as "heartbreaking". She stated that "Nothing justifies _targeting or harming civilians. Palestinian armed groups and Israeli forces must make every effort to protect civilians now."[68]
Religious beliefs
Ghahraman describes herself as "agnostic—some days I would say atheist", noting that "It was important for me to get up and say I'm actually not religious at all, because the Middle East also has diversity within it".[3][2]
Personal life
Ghahraman has multiple sclerosis.[69]
She was in a relationship with comedian Guy Williams,[70] which ended in late 2020.[71]
In June 2021, Ghahraman wrote that she was getting her first Kurdish deq tattoos, stating, "I could not be more excited to help revive this beautiful indigenous tradition and connect with the incredible proud elders I remember wearing theirs back home. They represent a pre-Islamic culture of strength, nature and the night sky."[72]
Bibliography
Non-fiction
- Know Your Place (2020) ISBN 9781775541424[73]
Notes
- ^ Normally, list MPs do not have individual predecessors or successors, but Ghahraman resigned during a sitting parliament and therefore was succeeded by Wade-Brown.
References
- ^ a b Johnston, Kirsty (7 October 2017). "Meet Golriz Ghahraman, the Green Party's newest Member of Parliament". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ a b Morton, Francis (29 June 2017). "Barrister and Green Party candidate Golriz Ghahraman". Metro. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d Small, Vernon (17 January 2017). "Green lawyer hopes to be first refugee to win a seat in Parliament". Stuff. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ Mann, Britt (5 August 2017). "A day in the life of Green Party candidate Golriz Ghahraman". Stuff. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ McClure, Tess; Taylor, Laura (10 October 2017). ""We Can't Rely on Majority Rule": Meet NZ's First Refugee MP". Vice. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
Golriz Ghahraman on how escaping Iran's oppressive regime and defending war criminals in international courts has shaped her politics.
- ^ "Auckland Girls' Grammar School Newsletter Issue 09/16" (PDF). aggs.school.nz. Auckland Girls' Grammar School. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ a b Stephen, Craig (3 November 2017). "Human rights lawyer vows to defend the defenceless". LawTalk. New Zealand Law Society. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ^ "Master's in International Human Rights Law – Master in International Human Rights Law (LLM alternative)". University of Oxford. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "Golriz Ghahraman – United Nations Consultant (International human rights, justice) – United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime – LinkedIn". LinkedIn. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ^ Dastgheib, Shabnam; van Beynen, Jack (13 September 2015). "Payback time: What refugees are really worth". The Sunday Star-Times. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
- ^ Kirk, Stacey (28 November 2017). "Golriz Ghahraman explains smiling photo with convicted genocide perpetrator". Stuff. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Green MP says voters not misled about her role defending alleged Rwandan war criminal". Stuff. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ Quin, Phil (28 November 2017). "The Green MP and the genocide hearings". Newsroom. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "Drug convictions quashed by Supreme Court". Radio New Zealand. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ ["Wilson v R"] [2015] NZSC 189, [2016] 1 NZLR 705 (14 December 2015), Supreme Court of New Zealand.
- ^ "Trevor John Momo Wilson v The Queen [2015] NZSC 189". Courts of New Zealand. 14 December 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ "Official Count Results – Te Atatū". Wellington: New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ Tokalau, Torika (25 September 2017). "Greens rely on special votes to get Golriz Ghahraman into Parliament". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ Ainge Roy, Eleanor (7 October 2017). "New Zealand election: full results give Labour boost and nation its first refugee MP". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
- ^ "Address in Reply; Golriz Ghahraman". New Zealand Parliament. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Green MP under scrutiny for role in Rwandan genocide trials". Radio New Zealand. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ "Mt Roskill – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ "2023 General Election: Successful candidates". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "Kelston – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Ghahraman, Golriz". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Greens unveil portfolio spokespeople". 1News. 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Green MP Golriz Ghahraman urges scrutiny of 'who controls purse strings of bigger parties'". Radio New Zealand. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ "Jami-Lee Ross wants new rules around financial donations to political parties from foreigners". 1News. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ "Green MP Golriz Ghahraman calls for voting age to be lowered to 16". Newshub. Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. 21 May 2022. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Small, Zane (6 March 2019). "Golriz Ghahraman: 'We welcome waiting until after 2020 for any changes to MMP'". Newshub. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ Coughlan, Thomas (3 August 2022). "Government legal advice finds political donation caps may breach right to freedom of speech". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ "Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Scotcher, Katie (25 June 2020). "Prisoner voting bill passes in chaotic night at Parliament". RNZ. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ "New Zealand bans foreign political donations amid interference concerns". the Guardian. 3 December 2019.
- ^ Neilson, Michael (15 November 2022). "Labour and National agree on Māori electoral law change". NZ Herald. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Corlett, Eva (16 January 2024). "New Zealand government rejects Ardern-era bid to lower voting age". the Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Crump, Philip (10 January 2024). "Green MP Golriz Ghahraman stands aside from portfolios after being accused of shoplifting". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ Crump, Philip (10 January 2024). "Green MP Golriz Ghahraman stands aside from portfolios after being accused of shoplifting". Newstalk ZB. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ "Further allegation of shoplifting at Scotties emerges against Golriz Ghahraman". Newshub. 12 January 2024. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Green MP Golriz Ghahraman returns to NZ amid shoplifting claims". 1News. TVNZ. 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ McConnell, Glenn (15 January 2024). "Police investigating Golriz Ghahraman allegation – this time in Wellington". Stuff. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ McConnell, Glenn (16 January 2024). "Golriz Ghahraman resigns amid shoplifting accusations". Stuff. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Notice of vacancy in seat in House of Representatives". New Zealand Gazette. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Ghahraman, Golriz (16 January 2024). "Statement from Golriz Ghahraman". Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Golriz Gharahman's replacement: Who is Celia Wade-Brown?". The New Zealand Herald. 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Doyle, Trent; Mitchell, Travis (17 January 2024). "Golriz Ghahraman charged with two counts of shoplifting". Newshub. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Third charge laid after Golriz Ghahraman shoplifting claims". Stuff. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Hewett, William (29 January 2024). "Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick dismisses social media claim about footage of Golriz Ghahraman allegedly shoplifting". Newshub. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b Hewett, William (27 February 2024). "Police reveal new shoplifting charge against ex-Green MP Golriz Ghahraman relates to new store". Newshub. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ Williams, Caroline (13 March 2024). "Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman pleads guilty to shoplifting". Stuff. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Former Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman gets $1600 fine for shoplifting, denied discharge without conviction". Newshub. 27 June 2024. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ "'Just shame, shame,' – Former MP Golriz Ghahraman speaks in first interview". RNZ. 27 June 2024. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ Williams, Caroline (14 October 2024). "Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman appeals shoplifting convictions". Stuff. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ Kapitan, Craig (20 October 2024). "Ex-Green MP Golriz Ghahraman loses appeal for $9k shoplifting spree, conviction to stand". NZ Herald. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Act leader David Seymour taken to task for Golriz Ghahraman comments". The New Zealand Herald. 17 May 2019.
- ^ "'Don't go': Woman aiming to be NZ's first refugee MP too scared to go to US". Yahoo. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- ^ Golbakhsh, Ghazaleh. "How my friend Golriz is hoping to change the world". Villainesse. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ Forrester, Georgia (5 March 2019). "'Kiwi jihadi' Mark Taylor: Should NZ help to bring him home?". Stuff. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ "Crimes (Definition of Female Genital Mutilation) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Bhatia, Ripu (12 July 2019). "New Zealand Jewish Council accuses Green Party MP of 'antisemitism'". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ Bradbury, Martin (15 July 2019). "The Green Party are many things, antisemites are not one of them". The Daily Blog. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "New Zealand MPs take pledge for Palestine". Palestine Post 24. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ Nixon, Jane (16 May 2021). "Golriz Ghahraman condemns NZ Govt, says international humanitarian laws have been breached in Gaza conflict". 1News. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ New Zealand Jewish Council (21 May 2021). "Green Party MPs Use Hamas Slogan". Scoop. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Green Party motion to call for recognition of Palestine's right to self-determination". Radio New Zealand. 19 May 2021. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ Manch, Thomas (19 May 2021). "Green Party's motion to declare Palestine a state fails in Parliament". Stuff. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ "NZ leaders respond to Gaza attacks". The Spinoff. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Green MP Golriz Ghahraman reveals she has multiple sclerosis". Stuff. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- ^ Mann, Britt (14 June 2020). "Golriz Ghahraman on growing up, Guy Williams, and the power of protest". Stuff. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ McConnell, Glenn (5 September 2021). "Hive life: Golriz Ghahraman and Nicola Willis open up about sacrifices and motiviations". Stuff.
- ^ Small, Zane (8 June 2021). "Green MP Golriz Ghahraman 'could not be more excited' about new tattoo embracing her Kurdish roots". Newshub. Archived from the original on 25 September 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Golriz Ghahraman: 'I feel such sorrow when I imagine my parents' fate'". The Guardian. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.