WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Candace Owens, a prominent conservative political commentator from the U.S., has been denied a visa to enter New Zealand for an upcoming speaking engagement due to her previous ban from another country, immigration officials announced on Thursday.
This announcement came shortly after Australia also rejected her visa application, referencing her controversial statements where she downplayed the Nazi medical experiments conducted on Jews during World War II. The Australian Immigration Minister, Tony Burke, declared that Owens “has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction,” emphasizing the importance of keeping her out for the country’s national interest. Various Jewish groups in Australia had urged the government to prevent her from entering.
Owens is expected to speak at events across several Australian cities as well as in Auckland, New Zealand, in February and March of next year. Despite the visa denial, tickets for these events are still available, and her promoters have not indicated any issues regarding her entry in their promotional materials.
Following her controversies, Owens parted ways with the Daily Wire, where she hosted an online talk show since 2021. This split occurred amidst conflicts over her remarks related to Jews and her opposition to U.S. military aid for Israel. She faced backlash after a July video in which she appeared to minimize the Holocaust.
When announcing her speaking tour last August, Owens promised potential attendees in Australia and New Zealand that she would discuss free speech and share insights on her Christian faith. However, official responses from New Zealand did not address her political stance when announcing the visa refusal.
Jock Gilray, a spokesperson for New Zealand’s immigration agency, stated that Owens was denied an entertainer’s work permit because individuals who have been barred from entering another country are legally ineligible to receive visas. Both Owens and her promoter, Rocksman, have yet to respond to inquiries regarding this situation.
Owens is a controversial figure with over 3 million followers on YouTube, often criticized for promoting conspiracy theories and antisemitic sentiments. Her remarks have spurred intense debates as she speaks out against movements like Black Lives Matter, feminism, vaccinations, and immigration.
