Candace Owens allowed into New Zealand after visa U-turn

Thursday, 12 December 2024

Candace Owens will be allowed into New Zealand.

Political commentator Candace Owens has had her visa application approved after originally being denied entry into New Zealand.

Associate Minister of Immigration Chris Penk has amended Immigration NZ’s original decision to ban Owens.

Owens had her Entertainers Work Visa application turned down initially in November due to her being banned from Australia.

Controversial US speaker and political commentator Candace Owens has had her visa application approved after initially being denied entry into New Zealand.

Associate Minister of Immigration Chris Penk has granted Owens a visa following a request for ministerial intervention.

A spokesperson for Penk told Stuff that Owens requested intervention from the Associate Minister of Immigration to exercise his discretion and grant her a visa.

“The Minister made his decision after considering representations made to him, including the importance of free speech,” the spokesperson said.

Owens had her Entertainers Work Visa application turned down initially in November due to her being banned 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.

At the time, Immigration New Zealand said that under law individual may not be granted a visa to come to New Zealand if they have been excluded from another country.

INZ 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.

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

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

Free Speech Union chief executive Jonathan Ayling.

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

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.

In response to the decision to allow Owens in to the country, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union Jonathan Ayling applauded the minister for doing what he called “the right thing”.

“We applaud Chris Penk for doing the right thing and defending the speech rights of Candace Owens and all Kiwis.

“When someone is cancelled, it doesn’t just deny the speaker’s speech rights; it denies the rights of those who want to listen too.

“It’s up to individuals to decide who they want to listen to, not the Government. The Associate Minister has made the correct decision,” Ayling said.

Owens was due to speak at Auckland’s Trust Arena on November 14, but the event was postponed by the promoter.