New Zealand’s Ban on Candace Owens to Be Tested in Court

American commentator Candace Owens was denied a visa to enter New Zealand for a speaking engagement due to her previous ban from another country. The Free Speech Union has vowed to challenge the decision, arguing that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) misinterpreted the law when refusing Owens an Entertainer’s Work Visa.
She had applied for this visa but was automatically declined under a provision of the Immigration Act that says someone may not be granted a visa to come to New Zealand if they have been excluded from another country.
In October, Owens was denied entry to Australia. Immigration Minister Tony Burke justified the decision by stating that her comments could incite widespread discord.
“Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else,” Burke said at the time.
“We do not believe Immigration New Zealand is applying an accurate interpretation of ‘exclusion’, which did not occur in this case,” said the Union’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Ayling.
Tickets for the event ranged from $95 for general admission to $1,500 for a VIP package with a pre-show dinner, champagne reception, and meet-and-greet.
Owens, a prominent conservative commentator, has over 2.8 million subscribers to her YouTube channel, with over 900 videos viewed more than 349 million times.