Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman has resigned from her role as MP after facing a third allegation of shoplifting, as her party only learned of the alleged incident after its news broke last night, ZB Plus can reveal.

Ghahraman was most recently accused of shoplifting at Wellington store Cre8iveworx, according to a Stuff report. The store reportedly emailed other businesses in the capital alleging Ghahraman was on the premises in October.

Cre8iveworx owner Melanie Smith said in her email that she had laid a police complaint, mentioned Ghahraman by name and included images appearing to show Ghahraman in the store, Stuff has reported.

Now, in a statement to the media, Ghahraman has confirmed she will resign from her role as MP and attributed her actions to struggles with mental health. 

"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 said in the statement.

"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. 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."

Ghahraman said she had let a lot of people down and was "very sorry", she said her resignation was immediate and thanked the many communities and people who had supported her over the years. 

"I now ask for people to give me the space and privacy I need to get better. I won’t be commenting further at this time."

The October claim followed two shoplifting allegations at high-end Auckland store Scotties Boutique in December.

Green Party co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson on Friday said they had been made aware “of an allegation involving Golriz Ghahraman and Scotties Boutique” on December 27.

The second allegation came to their attention on January 5 - meaning the party leadership was aware of the allegations before ZB Plus broke the initial story.

However, the party confirmed to ZB Plus last night that it was only aware of October’s alleged incident when news broke about it earlier in the evening.

Ghahraman had left at this point on a "long-planned personal trip overseas", but Scotties Boutique was willing to wait for her return to New Zealand to resolve the issue.

Green Party leadership confirmed they had contacted Ghahraman to discuss her standing down from her portfolios on January 5, after learning of the second allegation.

In the most recent statement provided to the media, the co-leaders paid tribute to Ghahraman's work over the last six years, noting her work as "the leading voice in Parliament for human rights, truly independent foreign policy, and electoral reform". 

"It is clear to us that [Ghahraman] is in a state of extreme distress. She has taken responsibility and apologised. We support the decision she has made to resign." the leaders said. 

"We are deeply sorry to see Ms Ghahraman leave under these circumstances and we wish her all the best for the future."

Full Statement from former Green MP, Golriz Ghahraman:

“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.

“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. 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. 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.

“The best thing for my mental health is to resign as a Member of Parliament and to focus on my recovery and to find other ways to work for positive change in the world.

“I will therefore be resigning from Parliament immediately.

“I want 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.

“I also want to especially thank Scotties Boutique for the kindness and empathy they have shown me.

“I now ask for people to give me the space and privacy I need to get better. I won’t be commenting further at this time.”