Controversial US speaker Candace Owens banned from New Zealand, legal action proposed

Thursday, 28 November 2024

Candace Owens has had her visa rejected by Immigration New Zealand.

US speaker and political commentator Candace Owens has had her visa application rejected by Immigration New Zealand.

Owens had a speaking event organised in Auckland.

Owens had already been banned from Australia.

US conservative commentator Candace Owens has had her visa application turned down by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Owens was due to speak at an event in Auckland, weeks after being banned from entering Australia.

INZ confirmed to Stuff on Thursday that Owens had applied for a Entertainers Work Visa, but was turned down due to her ban from Australia.

Cactus Outdoor co-founder Ben Kepes says he, and many others in the Jewish community, have been subjected to hate comments, religious slurs and threats to safety.

'Under section 15(1)(f) of the Immigration Act, an individual may not be granted a visa to come to New Zealand if they have been excluded from another country,” INZ said in a statement.

Owens was refused entry to Australia in October, with authorities saying she had the potential to “incite discord”.

Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke said Australia’s national interest was not served by Owens due to her past comments.

Deborah Hart, chair of the Holocaust Centre.

Owens has a history of making controversial claims, including downplaying the Holocaust. She has also been accused of being anti-Semitic and homophobic.

The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand had previously urged INZ to “carefully consider” granting a visa to Owens.

Free Speech Union chief executive Jonathan Ayling.

Chairperson Deborah Hart said Owens had some “wacky” ideas, including that there had been no moon landing and that Jews orchestrated the assassination of JFK.

INZ had told Stuff that all visa applicants must meet specific requirements, including a good character assessment that considers factors such as criminal convictions, deportation history, and potential risks to New Zealand's security, public order, or public interest.

As a result of Owens ban, the Free Speech Union (FSU) said it would challenge the decision.

Spokesperson Jonathan Ayling said they were preparing to take legal action against the Crown to defend what they call “Kiwis' freedom of expression rights”.

Ayling said the group believed INZ had acted “unlawfully” and were considering requesting a judicial review of the decision in the High Court.

The FSU has written the Immigration Minister Erica Stanford asking her to reconsider the decision to ban Owens.

Owens was due to speak in Auckland on November 14, but the show was postponed in October. There was no official cancellation yet.