Podcasts about golriz ghahraman

Retailers and members of the public will soon have more ability to detain shoplifters and thieves under beefed up citizen's arrest powers. At 2pm today, the government's expected to announce a range of measures aimed at curbing rising retail theft, which have been proposed by a Ministerial Advisory Group formed to address retail crime. It's pretty clear what the advisory group is looking for. The old rules around citizen's arrests were absurd. Under the current legislation, making a citizen's arrest or detaining an offender could only occur at night between 9pm and 6am, because of course, there's no such thing as daylight robbery. Wrong. The Crimes Act also stated a warrantless arrest could be made by anyone if the offender was committing a crime for which the maximum punishment was at least three years in prison. So, if you're going in to protect somebody who was being assaulted, for example. It was also understood the value of the item being stolen had to be worth at least $1000. What if I went to nab Golriz Ghahraman while she was shoplifting $1000 dress at Scotties, but it was on sale? Then what? What a conundrum. Do I step in or do I not? Absurd, utter nonsense. The changes were intended to enable shop owners or security guards to prevent a thief from leaving a retail store with the stolen goods without risking being charged for using force. Ministers Goldsmith and McKee are expected to explain the application of reasonable force in those scenarios at the 2pm stand up. It was understood that the proposed changes are intended to come into force this year, wouldn't have age limitations, and wouldn't require a minimum price for the stolen items before a citizen's arrest could be made. Former Police Minister Stuart Nash told Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning that like everyone, he's sick of seeing people getting away with thumbing their noses at the community: “You got a situation Mike, where if you steal stuff, which is, you know, obviously you're stealing something over $1000 that's pretty serious. If you're just shoplifting, then the cost of prosecuting someone is substantial compared to the crime that's being committed. But what you've ended up with is a really terrible situation where these guys just get away with it. “So what we were seriously looking at is some form of fine, or something along those lines, which was proportionate. With the citizen's arrest, yeah you know, I'm a fan, there's no doubt about that. But it's got to be proportionate. You know, we don't want to get to a stage where big tough guys like yourself are using this to beat the crap out of someone.” No, and that's fair enough. But that has always been the thorniest of issues. There was a real spate of farmers getting into all sorts of trouble for defending their properties and the use of reasonable force was the question being debated. What was forceful and what was not, but I think we've all had a guts full of people brazenly getting away with stealing stuff. Two fingers to the shop owner, one finger to society. Even the ones who aren't causing any physical harm ,the ones who are just walking and grabbing what they want and walking out. It's an outrage, they're sneering at people who are doing their best, who are going to work, who are trying to budget, who are trying to squeeze every last cent out of their wallets to pay the household groceries, and then they just watch as people march by with a trolley full of crap that they load into the boot of somebody's car and off. I want to see them stopped. I want to see them stopped and the people who stop them be able to walk home and think, well, that was a job well done. But two words. Austin Hemmings. Austin Hemmings was the brave, decent man who stepped in one ordinary after workday in 2008, to help a woman who was in clear distress and who had called out for help after a man confronted and threatened her. And so he did. He went in to help this woman and for doing the right thing, this husband and father of three was stabbed in the chest and died. He was awarded the Bravery Star, New Zealand's second highest award for bravery in 2011, and his killer will be coming up for parole either this year or the next. So I want to see the community able to fight back and to work together to stop thugs and thieves, but I really don't want to see another family having to live with the loss of a good and decent man. And what's proportional force? Remember, the Sheriff of Ngawi? This was a man in a coastal community in Wairarapa and like the rest of us, he'd had a guts full of lowlifes coming over the hill, into their community, ransacking people's holiday homes and taking what they wanted. By the time you called the police, these thugs had put their goods up on trade me and had made their fortune. So the townsfolk of Ngawi got together and the Sheriff of Ngawi fired a gun across the bowels of the stolen car that these thugs were attempting to make their getaway in. And for that he went to court, he was fined $3000, and he was forced to hand over his gun. Yes, I want to see us be able to defend ourselves, but I want to know what reasonable force is. I personally think firing a gun over the heads of some lowlifes is perfectly reasonable. Firing a gun at a getaway car I think is perfectly reasonable. When it's not the first time, when the police cannot help, perfectly reasonable. But I do want to see us make more use of technology too. Supermarkets should be investing in the software that prevents thieves leaving the stores with trolleys and arm loads of stolen groceries. That technology exists. I can understand risking my life to protect the life of another, and I hope that I would be as brave as Austin Hemmings and do so. But risking my life to protect the supermarkets profits, yeah not so much.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Security software used widely by retail staff is in the spotlight after an incident involving a former Green MP. Golriz Ghahraman quit politics last year after being caught shoplifting from boutique fashion stores, and news emerged earlier this month suggesting she had done it again at a PakNSave supermarket. But the former MP did not steal anything, and the store never reported the case to Police – yet as the incident was logged in the Auror security system, Police were able to access it, and attempted to use it in the court case against Ghahraman. NZ Herald senior writer David Fisher has been looking into the case, and the scope of Auror, and joins us now on The Front Page. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police can search the retail surveillance network that recorded a shopping incident involving former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, even when no complaint has been made. Ghahraman was stopped and questioned by store security at Royal Oak's Pak'nSave in the weeks before her High Court case in early October. Foodstuffs says it did not complain to police. Surveillance network Auror is used by retailers - including Foodstuffs - and confirms police can access the information those clients record. CEO Phil Thompson says the system lets all the parties work closely together. "Retailers are capturing information on crimes and attempted crimes that happen in their stores and making that visible to their own head office - and also to police." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The CEO of surveillance network Auror explained the new technology used to stop shoplifters in their tracks after the latest Golriz Ghahraman incident. Is this a step too far - or a necessary measure to combat retail crime? According to new reports, domestic inflation is still on the sticky side - what can this mean for the rest of the year? New data out of the UK reveals a concerning amount of Gen Z doesn't know how to do simple DIY tasks - and have turned to professionals to change their lightbulbs. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party had a rough time in 2024, dealing with their fair share of scandals and tragedies. From Darleen Tana's dramatic exit and Golriz Ghahraman's shoplifting scandal, to the death of Efeso Collins and Marama Davidson's cancer diagnosis. Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick told Tim Beveridge that it's been tough. “I do spend a lot of time reflecting on the actions that I take, and whether I'm the best person to be doing this job,” she said. “I can tell you that I feel confident that we've done the best that we possibly could with those circumstances, with our values being the guiding star.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party reached a significant milestone this weekend, off the back of a tough year for the party. It's been a year full of controversy following the arrest of Golriz Ghahraman, the referral of Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee and the Darleen Tana saga that ended with the Greens using the Waka-Jumping law to oust her. The Party's also had to deal with leadership changes following James Shaw's retirement - but the sudden death of Efeso Collins and co-leader Marama Davidson stepping aside following a breast cancer diagnosis have also impacted the Greens. NZ Herald political reporter Adam Pearse says co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick is determined to move forward - as the party has big plans for 2025. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not over yet, but just maybe there is light at the end of the Darleen Tana drama tunnel. Please let it be. The Green Party has their own uniquely democratic and patient way of reaching a decision, but seven months and running to get this sorted is surely testing even their limits. It was good this week to see a consensus of delegates agree to using the waka-jumping law - or the electoral integrity clause in the Electoral Act - to eject Tana. The co-leaders have now written to Speaker Gerry Brownlee, asking him to trigger the law and eject her from Parliament. This issue has been a huge drag for the party, and good on them for their change of heart. They would obviously prefer not to be in this position, but they recognise this is the quickest way of getting to what they believe is the right outcome - the removal of Tana from Parliament. It's been a year of dealing with HR setbacks and issues for the Greens - the resignation of Golriz Ghahraman at the beginning of the year, followed by the election for a new co-leader after James Shaw's resignation, and multiple complaints about Julie Anne Genter's behaviour. But the most damaging and long running distraction has been the removal of a list MP they found to be completely at odds with the parties values, policies or Kaupapa. For a very principled party, it's not a good look to reverse their opposition to the party jumping law since the first version was passed in 2001. But the Greens aren't the first, and won't be the last party, to about-face on a law or policy. Flexibility about principles is not something that comes as naturally to the Greens as other political parties, but it has always been part of politics. And let's be honest, an independent report didn't work. Letters and public appeals from the Greens' leaders didn't work. Talking about how Tana had distorted the proportionality of the house didn't work. Public opinion hasn't worked. If it wasn't so self-serving, you'd admire Tana's tenacity in refusing to go. So the Greens have been left with little choice but to embraced the ugly old party-hopping law. Of course it's not over yet. There is still an appeal to sort out, and then it's up to the Speaker. Even though this crazy year hasn't significantly impacted the Greens in the polls, they will be keen to put this behind them. They can then get on with Swarbrick's plan to evolve the Greens into a party that can lead the government in the not so distant future. And no doubt this cautionary tale will have all political parties quietly mulling over how to make sure their processes for selecting list candidates are as robust as they can be. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questionable conduct, personal tragedy, and a changing of the guard: the internal of the Green Party.

In an exclusive interview with John Campbell, former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman says being caught shoplifting is the shame she'll never get over. ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

The 43 year old politician and former lawyer was sentenced in the Auckland District Court this afternoon after pleading guilty in March to stealing almost $9000 dollars of clothing.

What's next for former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman's legal career is not yet determined - after being convicted on shoplifting charges today. Judge June Jelas has ordered her to pay $1600 in fines, plus $260 in court costs, and isn't requiring supervision. The Herald's Craig Kapitan says nothing's stopping her applying for her law licence again. He says her lawyer had insistently argued a conviction would be a significant hurdle to convincing the Law Society she's fit to practice. "The Crown noted that a conviction doesn't necessarily mean she's automatically barred, the Law Society would have to look at the whole picture, like the judge did." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an exclusive interview with John Campbell, former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman says being caught shoplifting is the shame she'll never get over. Drag performers have filed a $2 million defamation action against Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki after protests against their library Storytime events. Sunita Torrance and Daniel Lockett, known by their performing names, Coco and Erika Flash, filed the claim at the High Court in Auckland this morning. The legal claims against Destiny Church include allegations of breach of contract, conspiracy to injure and unlawful means conspiracy, and defamation. Christopher Luxon was on RNZ this week getting pissy with Corin Dan over Pharmac funding ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

The 43-year-old former Green Party MP and former human rights lawyer has admitted stealing nearly $9000 of clothing from retail stores in Auckland and Wellington, Lucy Xia reports.

Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman will find out her fate on Thursday. Judge June Jelas has reserved a sentencing decision on shoplifting charges in court today. The Judge has confirmed she won't be imprisoned. NZ Herald court reporter Craig Kapitan says Ghahraman's defence says she was going through a mental health crisis. "A mental health report suggests that she suffered complex PTSD, which was a result of her earlier life in Iran and 'public vitriol, threats and abuse' that dominated her time in Parliament." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From ferry failings on the Cook Strait to mass power outages in the North, why is our country's infrastructure falling to pieces? Golriz Ghahraman is back in court today for sentencing on shoplifting charges. And are we witnessing the decline of athleisure powerhouse Lululemon? Retail sales in the US seem to indicate the answer is - yes.

This week on the Sunday Panel, broadcaster and journalist Wilhelmina Shrimpton and partner at Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers, Liam Hehir, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!  In light of Winston Peters' 'defamatory' comments, it seems like the coalition Government is having more and more internal clashes. A political podcast asked a group of National, NZ First and ACT MPs if the coalition will last- what do we think? Green MP Julie Anne Genter has been accused of more aggressive outbursts off the back of her confrontation in Parliament- what can the Green Party do about this? Is this another Golriz Ghahraman situation waiting to happen?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suspended Green MP Darleen Tana says she intends to cooperate fully with an investigation after allegations emerged of migrant exploitation at her husband's company.  “I welcome an investigation and intend to cooperate fully, and I will not be commenting further,” Tana, who held the party's small business portfolio, told the Herald in a statement.  Tana is the third Green MP in less than a year to run into trouble, following in the footsteps of Elizabeth Kerekere, who quit the party last year amidst bullying allegations, and Golriz Ghahraman, who resigned after allegations emerged of her shoplifting.  Green Party MP Darleen Tana has been suspended amid allegations she is linked to migrant exploitation at her husband's company.  A statement from Green Party leader Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick earlier today said Tana was suspended on Thursday afternoon because the allegations raised a conflict of interest with her small business portfolio.  The claims first came to light on February 1 when Tana informed the party a complaint had been made to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) by a worker at her husband Christian Hoff-Neilsen's business, E-Bikes NZ.  Tana was suspended after it became apparent she may have previously been aware of the allegations.  A spokesperson for the Green Party said they are conducting an internal investigation to determine what Tana knew about the allegations relating to her husband's business.  The party has appointed an independent expert workplace investigator and barrister to establish the facts.  Christian Hoff-Nielsen, who founded the E-Bikes NZ chain, denied all allegations when speaking to the Herald this morning from his store in Auckland's Newmarket.  Hoff-Nielsen said he had not spoken to the worker “at all” and had worked for him for “mere months”.  “He's just pumping it up,” he said, insinuating the claims are a cash grab. Christian Hoff-Neilsen, husband of Darleen Tana, denied all allegations when speaking to the Herald this morning. Photo / Jason Oxenham.  He said being stood down has been “really hard” on Tana.  “She's not here and she's got nothing to do with this,” Hoff-Nielsen said.  Hoff-Nielsen said Tana is now at home, but would not say whether that was in Auckland or Wellington.  “When we go home, we talk about what families talk about … some employees present at work is not relevant.”  He denied the worker was ever paid with cash, was owed any money, and that Tana oversaw him working for cash during a first day trial.  Davidson and Swarbrick fronted morning media to respond to the allegations. Davidson acknowledged to RNZ that the incident showed the party was going through tough times.  Swarbrick told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking they are “deeply serious allegations”.  Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green Party MP Darleen Tana has been suspended amid allegations she is linked to migrant exploitation at her husband's company.  Tana becomes the third Green MP in less than a year to run into trouble, following in the footsteps of Elizabeth Kerekere, who quit the party last year amidst bullying allegations, and Golriz Ghahraman, who resigned after allegations emerged of her shoplifting.  The party's co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick fronted morning media to respond to the allegations. Davidson acknowledged to RNZ the incident showed the party was going through tough times.  Swarbrick told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking they are “deeply serious allegations”.  A statement from Davidson and Swarbrick said Tana was suspended on Thursday afternoon because the allegations raised a conflict of interest with her small business portfolio.  The claims first came to light on February 1 when Tana informed the party a complaint had been made to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) by a worker at her husband's business, E-Bikes NZ.  “On February 9, the party was notified of a second complaint to the ERA,” the statement reads.  “These complaints included allegations against Ms Tana. Ms Tana has not been a director or shareholder of E Cycles NZ since 2019.”  She was suspended after it became apparent she may have previously been aware of the allegations.  An independent lawyer is conducting the investigation.  Both Tana and her husband have been approached for comment.  “Green MPs are expected to maintain high standards of public and private behaviour. To understand fully what Ms Tana knew, and when, we are appointing an independent lawyer to conduct an investigation into the matter. Ms Tana will stand aside from all caucus and parliamentary responsibilities until the matter is resolved,” the statement reads.  “We cannot comment on the specific allegations while the matter is waiting mediation and the independent investigation is ongoing.”  Speaking to Newstalk ZB, Swarbrick faced questions over whether the party had erred in not going public with Tana's suspension earlier.  Swarbrick said it was not useful for politicians to involve her opinions in the situation while an investigation is ongoing.  She would not say whether Tana had denied the allegations.  “On February the 1st, Darleen did notify the party of an allegation,” Swarbrick said.  “To avoid any conflict of interest, Darleen stepped down from her portfolios.”  On March 14, it became clear Tana may have known of the issues before she alerted the party, so that was when she was stood down, Swarbrick said.  “Yesterday it came to our attention that Darleen may have had prior knowledge of these allegations.”  Swarbrick called the situation “incredibly serious”.  “Of course there is a level of public scrutiny.”  Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking they are “deeply serious allegations”. Photo / Alex Burton  Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson told RNZ Tana was removed from the small business portfolio when the party was first made aware of the allegations on February 1.  Davidson defended not immediately standing down Tana saying they were not initially aware of her own alleged involvement or knowledge.  “The allegations are serious and we are taking this seriously.  “It was yesterday that it came to our attention that Ms Tana may have had some prior knowledge of the allegations, that is why we have appointed an independent investigation.”  Davidson said the public wasn't advised when Tana was removed from her portfolio because of the need to keep mediation matters private.  “The allegations are absolutely serious... We have long campaigned to ensure everyone that comes to Aotearoa to make their home is treated with compassion and kindness in the workplace.”  It's the latest in a string of incidents involving Green MPs and Davidson admitted the party was “going through some times.”  National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis told Newstalk ZB it was a matter for the Green Party.  ”It sounds a bit messy and, obviously, all of us condemn any form of migrant exploitation.”  Tana was elected in last year's election for the first time and is a member of the environment select committee.  Her portfolios include digitising government, media and communications, oceans and fisheries, overseas New Zealanders, science, innovation and technology, and small business and manufacturing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, after we talked about Golriz Ghahraman's guilty plea, I got a text from someone listening which said something along the lines of- we should feel sorry for Golriz Ghahraman and the media need to back off. Now, the first part is fair to a point. I do feel sorry for Golriz, I feel sorry for her in the same way that I feel sorry for my two-year-old when he gets put in his bedroom for time-out and he cries about it. I feel sorry for him that he has to suffer the consequences of his actions and that it's not nice for him. But he still has to suffer the consequences of his actions, and so does Golriz. And the consequences include media attention, as tough as that is for her. Because the thing is, Golriz courted the media as an MP, so she is the reason the media are interested in her. And she cannot turn that interest on and off when it suits her. She was the Justice Spokesperson for the Greens, taking the moral high ground on any number of issues. All the while, we find out, nicking a $650 Bao Bao Issey Miyake Lucent bag and a $4500 black Row Calanthe dress, amongst many other items. Her lawyer, Annabel Cresswell, told the court yesterday that Golriz's case has been subject to 'aggressive media reports'. Now, I asked Annabel today to give me a few examples- she still hasn't. I didn't see these aggressive media reports. I saw media reports, I didn't see aggressive ones.  That's not to say they definitely don't exist, but I did not see them and I read a lot of news. So if they were that bad, surely we'd know about them. It feels like Golriz's lawyer is trying to make the media the bad guys here. The bad guy in this case is the one who stood in court yesterday and pleaded guilty. I feel sorry for Golriz, I genuinely do. I feel sorry that this is the turn her life has taken, it must be incredibly hard to deal with. But this is the consequence of her actions, tough as it is- unwelcome media attention included. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro and Nick Mills from ZB's Wellington Mornings joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Auckland bakery Daily Bread is under fire after a video of the business seemingly poisoning sparrows surfaced. Is this evil and heartless- or a necessity? Air New Zealand is still at war with the airports- with the Airports Association saying domestic airfares keep increasing and ticket prices should be independently monitored. Do they have a point? Is the media coverage of Golriz Ghahraman going too far- or is this a natural response to her crimes? The Labour Party had their first caucus retreat in the opposition role- what did we think? How can the Party get election-ready within two and a half years? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Thursday on Newstalk ZB) Sounds Like Too Much Work/There Has To Be Consequences/Age Isn't Real/Recycling Isn't Real/Nothing Is Real... Especially BitcoinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman has pleaded guilty to four shoplifting charges. Ghahraman is accused of stealing over $8000 worth of goods from two boutique stores in Auckland and one in Wellington. She has resigned as an MP since the charges came to light in January. Rayssa Almeida was in court and speaks to Lisa Owen.

A retired law professor says a conviction for Golriz Ghahraman could spell the end of her legal career. The former Green MP pled guilty to four shoplifting charges in Auckland District Court yesterday. Retired professor Bill Hodge expects her lawyer will seek a discharge without conviction to give the best chance of continuing her work as a human rights lawyer. He spoke to Morning Report.

Golriz Ghahraman had nothing to say to media as she left the Auckland District Court today. The former Green Party MP has pleaded guilty to four counts of shoplifting at high end boutiques in Auckland and Wellington. A sentencing date has been set down for June 24. Herald reporter Katie Harris was in court, and says Ghahraman was very solemn- but didn't show much emotion. "There wasn't any tears going on that we could see, she was pretty quiet, she sat behind me before she went into the dock and I didn't hear or see any real outburst of emotion." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! After a busy week for David Seymour, the ACT Party are enjoying a significant bump in the polls, with a 5.6 percent gain in support. What does this mean for ACT? Is this a sign the Treaty Principles Bill is doing well with Kiwi voters? The Greens have taken a hit in the new Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll as well, with James Shaw's resignation and Golriz Ghahraman's departure being blamed for the decline. How fair is this? Businessman Aron D'Souza has founded a controversial 'Enhanced Games' plan whereby athletes could take performance-enhancing drugs and compete against each other without being tested by authorities. Is this safe? Would we watch it? 2024 is a leap year- and people have voiced concern over working for free for the extra day. Is this fair to worry about? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello there, Recording Waitangi Day Eve 2024. Ardern is married, Invercargil sex toy thief identified, Wānaka burger options in the balance. Dave goes to the Foo Fighters, people pick on the public service, and the fallout from Golriz Ghahraman's shoplifting allegations. Bumper music; Lustra - Scotty Doesn't Know Electric Six - Down At McDonnelzz Manga Saint Hilare, MoreNight, P Money & Jme - Alarm Bells Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Thursday on Newstalk ZB) Winston Wants In/Which Bin?/Justifiable Shoplifting/Robots Are Better/Cat Poo BlowbackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"To whom much is given, much will be required."  It's a great quote and is one of the reasons why my sympathy for Golriz Ghahraman is somewhat limited.  I think Winston Peters said that it's sad, and if it was him, he is right.  It's also made worse by the fact the whole tawdry mess is being played out so publicly. But then, "to whom much is given". She chose her life and with that came the scrutiny.  $10,000 is a lot of clothing. She's back in court late this month and faces seven years in jail, which she will of course not get.  In some respects, and this is where I do have sympathy, because of who she is her punishment has already well and truly started. Given retail crime in this country she is far and away your highest profile operator, or alleged operator.  This carries the usual rider of innocent until proven guilty and so on.  But we can psychoanalyse this stuff until we are blue in the face and given this happened over the holiday period while I was away, I watched in astonishment as so much of the media did.  Almost instantly the story leapt from one of crime to endless interviews with mental health experts and psychologists about pressure and social media, in what turned out to be a mad mix of trying to extrapolate every last angle out of the story they could, to what appeared like some weird justification or bandwagon around people who either get abused or attacked, to the role of women in public life, to the impact of undiagnosed stresses.  I like to keep things clean - theft is theft and it's against the law and there is no excuse.  There's even less excuse if you are in a position of privilege.  Complicit, and appallingly so in all of this, is her party. The Greens knew yet said nothing and said nothing for weeks. That in my eyes is aiding and abetting.  In some ways the whole tragic saga turned into yet another of those modern-day soap operas, where we look to find an excuse for anything.  Yes, women get attacked online. We all get attacked online. Anyone with a public profile is open to ludicrous amounts of commentary and abuse and behaviour that should really never happen and be dealt with a lot more severely than it is. But it doesn't mean you nick stuff.  Sometimes when you are guilty, if you are guilty, you just have to own it.  If she did it, she is a thief and she deserves what's coming to her.  A justice spokesperson in the Parliament of the land stealing stuff - it doesn't get a lot worse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Thursday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Blaming the Bullies Only Gets You So Far/Mitch's False Start/Weird Funerals/What Mahe's On About/The Beer and Pie DietSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel vs South Africa part-decision at the Hague leave both parties not being winners...or losers. But many are making the claim it was a win for Israel. It was not David Seymour's "State of the Nation" speak a complete snore fest and predictable meat for his followers Chloe Swarbrick spoke out this morning on rumours that she was with, Golriz Ghahraman when Ghahraman allegedly shoplifted. Rumours have been going around the internet that Swarbrick was in some of the store footage, Chloe makes unequivocal statement this morning on the AM Show. ================================================ Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

What you missed over summer: harmless sharks, woke worries, sewage smells and water woes flood the holiday news drought; media cop flak for coverage of Golriz Ghahraman's downfall.

The summer holidays are usually a dead zone for domestic political news - but the unseasonal and unexpected downfall of Golriz Ghahraman bucked the trend this month. Media copped criticism from some for reporting the allegations that led to her resignation - while others railed at media for failing to condemn her alleged crimes and playing the ‘mental health card'. 

The summer holidays are usually a dead zone for domestic political news - but the unseasonal and unexpected downfall of Golriz Ghahraman bucked the trend this month. Media copped criticism from some for reporting the allegations that led to her resignation - while others railed at media for failing to condemn her alleged crimes and playing the ‘mental health card'. 

I want to talk about timing, because it really is everything.   It can be the difference between whether you say or do something, and it can be the difference between whether you don't.  It can shape opinion, and it can morph public perception.  The timing of an announcement or an incident can also dictate how it's received.   I think we've well and truly seen the importance of timing when it comes to our politicians and their mental health struggles.   I know that Francesca Rudkin spoke about this on last week's show following the shoplifting allegations against Golriz Gharahman, but the headline is back in the spotlight after former Labour Minister Kiri Allan opened up about her mental health struggles after allegedly drink-driving and crashing her car last year.   Like Golriz, she resigned from her role, and like Golriz, she's due to have her day in court after being charged over the incident.   In her first interview since the crash Allan says she'd returned to work to deal with a change in Labour's policies after a ‘mental health break' … and admits she got to a point where she “decided she wanted to take her life” the night of the incident.   Now before I continue, I think it's important to remind everyone that both Golriz Gharahman and Kiri Allan have said that their mental health struggles are not an excuse but an explanation for what happened.   Even so, they both faced a mound of criticism that mental health had been used to try and manage the PR disasters.   There are of course a lot of similarities between the former politicians' stories, and while I applaud them for openly sharing their struggles, I wonder whether the timing of that was what threw many Kiwis.   Perhaps if they'd laid that bare when they entered politics, or when the first signs of trouble began to emerge, then many may have been more willing to accept the explanation. Or perhaps, by speaking openly about it earlier on, then the incidents may not have even happened and they'd still be sitting in the beehive right now.   I realise that's all very well in theory but in practice it seems to have become increasingly obvious that as a government, and also as a society, we haven't created an environment where people feel comfortable enough to come forward without judgment.   This was evident in a LinkedIn post I read last week after Golriz's shoplifting allegations emerged, which stated that people with mental health struggles shouldn't bother getting into politics or positions with a public profile.   Not only is that discriminatory and completely unfair, it also doesn't bode well for democracy, swiftly eliminating 31% of Kiwis who in the latest New Zealand Health Survey said they live with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress.   My fear is that although we're seeing an increase in conversation and campaigns about mental health, that isn't translating into an understanding or acceptance of the issue.   Kiri Allan said in her latest interview that if she looked at how her mental health may have impacted the way she operated, that it was her responsibility to manage that aspect of her life, and that she didn't do that well.   She's right. But there's also some responsibility on our friends, colleagues and employers too.   And to bring it back to timing, maybe if we walked the talk we saw in all of those mental health campaigns then it would never be an awkward time to speak out.   Both Kiri Allan and Golriz Gharahman are now paying the price for their mistakes - as they should.   Both have valuable lessons to learn. But so do we. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political reporter is in Christchurch, where the National Party has just wrapped up its annual caucus retreat. She talks about the “big hole” Golriz Ghahraman leaves in the Green Party and Parliament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party co-leaders are defending their handling of shoplifting allegations made against their now former colleague Golriz Ghahraman - saying they did what they could, when they could, with the information they had. Ms Ghahraman has resigned from Parliament, admitting she acted out of character, and is not well. RNZ political reporter Giles Dexter reports.

Golriz Ghahraman has resigned from Parliament, admitting she acted out of character, and is not well. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Charlotte Cook.

A former Green MP says the increasing abuse aimed at women in high profile positions likely contributed to the stress that resulted in Golriz Ghahraman shoplifting. Ms Ghahraman has resigned from Parliament after three allegations of shoplifting, admitting she acted out of character and is not well. Green Party co-leader James Shaw says Ms Ghahraman was subject to continuous threats sexual and physical violence - and death - since the day she was elected to Parliament. He says this has added a higher level of stress than is experienced by most members of Parliament. Ex Green MP Sue Bradford spoke to Ben Strang.

The Green Party has welcomed this morning's joint statement from the prime ministers of New Zealand, Australia, and Canada calling for a pause in hostilities in Gaza. It comes just before an emergency special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. US President Joe Biden is also ramping up pressure... saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to change his hardline government and that Israel cannot say no in the future to a Palestinian state. Green Party foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement, "We also want to see steps made towards a ceasefire"? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Will the tax cut package promised by the Government in the Speech from the Throne be "self-funding"; if so, what specific revenue measures will be used to fund it? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and policies? LAURA TRASK to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What is Government policy on Fair Pay Agreements? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Why did he delegate responsibilities for the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 to the Associate Minister of Health Hon Casey Costello, and why has he not made any delegations to the other associate Ministers of Health, Hon Matt Doocey and Hon David Seymour? GRANT McCALLUM to the Minister for Energy: What recent announcements has he made on the Lake Onslow Pumped Hydro scheme? JENNY MARCROFT to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does he have any concerns about the Scott Base redevelopment in Antarctica? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Maori Development: Is he committed to the goal of achieving 1 million speakers of te reo Maori by 2040? KATIE NIMON to the Minister of Education: What reports has she received on student achievement? GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Will he lead the Government to join the United Nations Secretary General, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the majority of New Zealanders according to a recent poll to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; if not, why not?

A new edition of Roqe featuring interviews with human rights lawyer and New Zealand MP Golriz Ghahraman joining Jian from Wellington, and Iranian-Canadian multi-instrumentalist and recording artist, Sina Bathaie, performing in the Roqe Studio. Golriz, the first-ever refugee to be elected to parliament in New Zealand, discusses growing up in Iran, her personal story told in her latest book about identity, her rise to political office, and the current situation in the Middle East. Sina joins Jian in the studio on the release day of his latest track, “Tehran,” for an interview about growing up in a musical family in Yazd, taking his music career full-time now, and creating a fusion of modern and traditional sounds in his electronic grooves…and he performs a brand new improvisational composition in the Roqe Studio. Plus Pegah and Jian remember little Kian Pirfalak, and debate the musical preferences of Persians in their cars... https://www.sinabathaie.com/

Questions to Ministers DAN ROSEWARNE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What is the significance of the US Secretary of State's visit to New Zealand in terms of bilateral relations? NICOLA WILLIS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions on tax policy? ANGELA ROBERTS to the Minister for Women: How is the Government delivering for women? GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Is she confident that the Government's consideration of joining AUKUS Pillar Two is aligned with its stated independent and Pacific-centric foreign policy stance? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Transport: What are his priorities as Minister of Transport? Dr ANAE NERU LEAVASA to the Minister of Health: What is the Government doing to improve the mental health and wellbeing of New Zealanders? Dr JAMES McDOWALL to the Minister of Immigration: What is the total investment value of all Investor 1 and 2 applications that are currently with Immigration New Zealand, if any, and how does that figure compare to the total unweighted investment value of Active Investor Plus visa applications? ANDREW BAYLY to the Minister of Revenue: Does she support a wealth tax, and does she support the principles contained within the Taxation Principles Reporting Bill? MARJA LUBECK to the Minister of Justice: How has the Government enabled communities and hospitality businesses to get behind the men's Rugby World Cup later this year? PENNY SIMMONDS to the Minister of Education: Does she consider that the $65 million of Vote Tertiary Education funding allocated to set up the six workforce development councils has provided good value for money? NAISI CHEN to the Minister for Economic Development: How does the new Aerospace Strategy support Government goals for a high-wage, low-emissions economy? CHRIS PENK to the Minister for Cyclone Recovery: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions in the six months since the Auckland Anniversary weekend flooding events and in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle?

Iran has hanged two men who allegedly killed a member of the country's security forces during the nationwide protests which erupted after the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini.  The executions have been condemned by leaders around the world, including the EU and the US.  New Zealand has made no official statements. The Green Party's human rights and foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman has called on the Government to take further action.  She spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The Green Party is not happy at police suggestions that more active car pursuits could return. The fleeing-driver policy is going to be looked at again in the new year, with an eye to giving police more leeway to chase a greater number of offenders.   A "significant increase" in the number of fleeing drivers and a decrease in the number of offenders identified has led to the rethink. Greens justice spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman spoke to Corin Dann.  

The four biggest non-Government parties are urging Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to take stronger action against human rights violations in Iran. A letter signed by the National Party, ACT, The Green Party and Te Pati Maori calls on the Government to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terror entity. he Green Party's human rights and foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman spoke to Kim Hill.

The Green Party's human rights and foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman wants the government to step up its response to violence in Iran. Until yesterday the government had been quiet on the issue. But now that consular efforts to rescue a Kiwi couple are over - the bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Iran has been shut down and officials are investigating New Zealand's next steps. There have been widespread protests in Iran for weeks, in response to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in custody after being arrested for violating the country's dress code. Ghahraman spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Protests continue across Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in detention after being arrested by police enforcing the Islamic Republic's strict restrictions on women's dress. More than 40 people have died and over 1000 protesters have been arrested in the ensuing wave of demonstrations. Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, who was born in Iran, is urging the Government to do more to hold the Iranian regime to account. She spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Questions to Ministers ANGELA ROBERTS to the Minister of Education: What advice has he received about the results of the Government's School Investment Package? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that "There will be individual households who will suffer stress as the result of interest rates going up", and in what ways does he expect this will "feed through to the economy"? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about the expansion of Te Ara Oranga? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by all her statements? GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN to the Minister of Immigration: Will he give effect to New Zealand's commitment to assist in the global refugee crisis with resettlement policies that are safe and inclusive, in honour of World Refugee Day this week? INGRID LEARY to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: What recent announcements has he made following the recent WTO meeting in Geneva? Hon LOUISE UPSTON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What is the percentage increase, if any, in the number of people in receipt of jobseeker support for three to five years in consecutive duration when comparing the March 2022 to the September 2017 quarter? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister for Whanau Ora: How will Budget 2022 ensure that Whanau Ora can continue to provide support to whanau as Aotearoa recovers from the impacts of COVID-19? Dr JAMES McDOWALL to the Minister of Immigration: Does he agree with the Prime Minister's statement yesterday that nurses "are on a fast track to residency", and does he further support her statement that nurses have "guaranteed residency"? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Immigration: Why are nurses on a two-year Work to Residence pathway, when multimedia specialists specialising in game development are on the Fast Tracked "Straight to Residence" pathway, and when will the immigration instructions containing the criteria for the Green List Work to Residence pathway be released? WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: What is the Government doing to mark the first Matariki public holiday? ANDREW BAYLY to the Minister for Building and Construction: Does she stand by her statement that the Government began working on the plasterboard shortage "months ago"; if so, why did the Government only appoint their reported high-level taskforce at the start of this week?

Questions to Ministers: SARAH PALLETT to the Minister of Health: Is the Government working to embed community voices within the reformed health system; if so, how? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement, "The short term challenge of inflation is significant"; if so, when does he expect inflation to return to the Reserve Bank's 1-3 percent target range? KIERAN McANULTY to the Minister of Tourism: What reports, if any, has he received about the appeal of New Zealand as a visitor destination following the Tourism New Zealand trade show in Sydney this week? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? BROOKE VAN VELDEN to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his Government not including a rural health strategy, for the approximately 750,000 New Zealanders who live rurally or remotely, in the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill? IBRAHIM OMER to the Minister of Immigration: What recent announcements has he made about the Immigration Rebalance plan? GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN to the Minister of Police: Does she agree that youth offending is driven by income deprivation, mental health challenges, and trauma; if so, how will $500 million for more police on the street reduce youth offending? NAISI CHEN to the Minister of Transport: What recent reports has he seen on the impact of the Government's half-price public transport scheme? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? SIMON COURT to the Minister of Climate Change: Does he agree with economist Matt Burgess, who said that "further policies are not necessary … Cap-and-trade schemes like the ETS effectively neutralise other emissions policies"; if not, why not? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What reports has he seen supporting the Commerce Commission's analysis of competition in the retail grocery sector? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Transport: Is he confident NZTA is meeting his expectation of "responsible and proportionate spending"; if so, is he satisfied that NZTA's spending is giving taxpayers good value for money?

In a major u-turn, Australia has accepted a longstanding offer from New Zealand to take refugees from detention centres in the Pacific. As a result, this country will take 150 refugees a year for three years - 450 in total. Green MP and the party's spokesperson for refugees Golriz Ghahraman said they've been pushing for this for nine years and she's overjoyed. She spoke to Corin Dann.