Ban on Commentator Candace Owens in New Zealand is Lifted

A “huge win for the speech rights [of] all Kiwis” was declared by New Zealand’s Free Speech Union (FSU) after their appeal on behalf of Candace Owens was upheld by Associate Minister of Immigration Chris Penk.

Immigration New Zealand had initially denied the right-wing American commentator an Entertainer’s Work Visa due to her refusal of permission to visit Australia.

Despite Australian Labor Immigration Minister Tony Burke’s concerns that Owens could incite discord, Penk disagreed and granted her a “special direction” to allow her to visit New Zealand.

Owens is known for controversial views, including downplaying Nazi medical experiments in concentration camps and asserting Muslims started slavery.

The FSU argued that the ban was unjust, as it typically applied to those who were deported or removed from another country, a different circumstance from being refused entry by the minister.

FSU Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling praised Chris Penk for upholding Owens’ speech rights.

He emphasized that when someone is cancelled, it not only silences the speaker but also denies the rights of those who want to listen.

The FSU criticized Immigration New Zealand for following Australia’s lead in denying Owens entry on questionable grounds.

A spokesperson for Penk mentioned that his decision took into account representations made to him and the significance of free speech.

Penk declined to provide further details, citing concerns such as privacy in individual cases of ministerial intervention.

Prior to this decision, various groups, including the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, had opposed Owens’ entry, citing her negative comments about Jews, the gay community, and Muslims.

Despite the Australian ban remaining in effect, keeping her from reaching its potentially larger audience, the question remains whether Owens will travel to New Zealand, a nearly 24-hour flight away.