Conservative commentator Candace Owens has been denied entry into New Zealand, weeks after Australia refused her a visa.
Immigration New Zealand confirmed on Thursday that Owens, known for her controversial statements on social and political issues, was barred from entering the country due to a legal restriction prohibiting visas for individuals previously banned from another nation.
Background on the Bans
The decision from New Zealand comes shortly after Australian officials denied Owens a visa in October.
Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke cited her remarks minimizing Holocaust atrocities and inflammatory statements about Muslims, stating that Owens “has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction.”
Jewish organizations in Australia had also lobbied for her exclusion, criticizing her for spreading conspiracy theories and antisemitic rhetoric.
Owens, a prominent figure with over 3 million YouTube followers, has faced backlash for opposing movements like Black Lives Matter, feminism, and vaccine mandates. In March, she ended her association with The Daily Wire, citing disputes over her comments about Jewish communities and opposition to U.S. support for Israel.
Speaking Tour in Limbo
Owens had planned a speaking tour in February and March 2024, addressing audiences in multiple Australian cities and Auckland, New Zealand.
Despite her visa rejections, tickets for the events remain available online with no acknowledgment of her barred entry.
New Zealand’s Legal Basis for Refusal
Jock Gilray, a spokesperson for Immigration New Zealand, explained that Owens was denied an entertainer’s work visa under policies barring individuals excluded from other countries.
Unlike Australia, New Zealand officials did not directly address Owens’ political views in their decision.
Neither Owens nor her tour promoter, Rocksman, has publicly commented on the bans or updated plans for the tour.
