On Thursday, New Zealand’s immigration authorities reversed a previous decision that had barred conservative commentator Candace Owens from entering the country. This initial ban was linked to a similar visa restriction imposed by Australia, which stemmed from Owens’ history of making controversial remarks about Muslims and her skepticism regarding the Holocaust.
As reported by Radio New Zealand, the decision to grant Owens entry was made by Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk. He stated that he acted on a request for ministerial intervention from Owens, taking into account various representations, particularly the significance of free speech.
Owens was initially denied entry under a specific immigration law that permits the denial of a visa to individuals who have been excluded from another country, in this case, Australia. While Owens’ ban from Australia remains in place, it is uncertain whether she has pursued an appeal against that decision.
Although Owens has not publicly commented on the recent decision, she did share an Instagram story featuring another user’s perspective, which labeled the outcome as a “big win” for free speech.