WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Conservative political commentator Candace Owens has been denied a visa to enter New Zealand for a speaking engagement due to being banned from another country, immigration officials report. This news follows Australia’s recent rejection of her visa request, in light of her controversial denial of Nazi medical experiments on Jews during World War II. Owens, known for her strong opinions and large following on YouTube, was set to speak at events in both Australia and New Zealand in the upcoming months, although her entry into both countries has been prevented.
The refusal to grant Owens a visa comes amid growing concerns over her alleged promotion of conspiracy theories, anti-Semitism, and controversial views on various topics such as Black Lives Matter, feminism, vaccines, and immigration. Her departure from her hosting position at the Daily Wire earlier this year was due to disputes surrounding her comments about Jews and objections to U.S. military aid to Israel. Owens faced backlash for her remarks minimizing the Holocaust in a YouTube video she posted in July.
Despite promising audiences in Australia and New Zealand discussions on free speech and her Christian faith during her speaking tour announcement in August, Owens faced strict opposition from Australian officials in October. Immigration Minister Tony Burke expressed concerns over her capacity to provoke discord with her inflammatory statements regarding the Holocaust and Muslims. Australian Jewish groups had also advocated for her exclusion from the country, fearing the potential consequences of her rhetoric.
In response to New Zealand’s decision, immigration officials emphasized that Owens’ denial of entry was based on her exclusion from another country, rather than her political beliefs. Jock Gilray, a spokesperson for the immigration agency, explained that work permits for entertainers could not be issued to individuals who have been barred from entering other nations. Owens and the promoter responsible for her tour did not provide immediate comments on the matter, leaving questions lingering about the future of her speaking engagements in the region.