US conservative commentator Candace Owens has been denied a visa to enter New Zealand for a speaking tour after being banned from neighboring Australia. New Zealand immigration officials confirmed the decision, citing her exclusion from another country as a determining factor.
The ruling follows Australia’s October visa rejection, where Immigration Minister Tony Burke stated Owens had “the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction,” pointing to her remarks minimizing the Holocaust and denying Nazi medical experiments on Jews during World War II.
Antisemitism bans, Owens is still scheduled to speak at events in February and March across Australia and New Zealand, with tickets available for purchase. The promoter’s website has not acknowledged the visa denials. Owens, known for her polarizing views, has been accused of promoting conspiracy theories, antisemitism, and opposing movements like Black Lives Matter and feminism.
In March, Owens parted ways with the Daily Wire after disagreements with its founders over her controversial statements about Jews and criticism of US military aid to Israel. Her July comments downplaying the Holocaust sparked widespread outrage.
* The Times of Israel contributed to this story.