John McLean: Open to Owens

An early Christmas present for Free Speech

Candace Owens is a conservative American commentator and pundit who is now due to speak in New Zealand in February 2025. Owens is only allowed to enter New Zealand because Associate Minister of Immigration Chris Penk has overturned an earlier Immigration New Zealand ban on Owens.

Chris Lynch: Minister overturns visa ban, allowing Candace Owens entry to New Zealand

Associate Minister of Immigration Chris Penk has reversed Immigration New Zealand’s decision to deny entry to Candace Owens, granting her a special direction under section 17 of the Immigration Act 2009.

The decision has been hailed as a victory for free speech by the Free Speech Union.

Barrie Davis: Candace Owens or Roimata Smail?

There have been two coloured female provocateurs in the news recently: one has been barred from coming to New Zealand and the other is having her booklet freely distributed to every New Zealand high school. Why are they being treated differently?

Simon O'Connor: Candace canned

It's time for the Government to stand up for free speech and overturn Immigration New Zealand's decision to ban someone because of their views.

You seriously have to question how free New Zealand really is when you consider Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) recent decision to ban Candace Owens coming to speak here.

It is a terrible decision on every level and another spurious attack on the fundamental democratic right to free speech.

Jonathan Ayling: Candace Owens barred from entry into New Zealand

Late yesterday afternoon Immigration New Zealand barred Candace Owens from entering New Zealand. It seems (incredibly) the best response New Zealand now has to opinions that some find distasteful or wrong is to exclude them from the conversation entirely.

David Farrar: No we shouldn’t ban Candace Owens

The Herald reports:

Young Labour has published an open letter urging the Government to follow Australia’s lead and stop Candace Owens entering the country.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Will Young Labour ever learn?

Turns out the people who want to shut other people up just do not learn from history, do they?

I consider myself to be reasonably well informed, because I have to be for my job. I read the newspapers every day, I listen to the radio, I have a pretty good idea of what’s going on  - and yet even I had completely forgotten Candace Owens was coming to New Zealand.

DTNZ: Free Speech Union calls on Immigration NZ to allow Candace Owens’ visit

The Free Speech Union (FSU) has urged Immigration New Zealand not to follow Australia’s decision to deny entry to American commentator Candace Owens.

FSU Council Member Dane Giraud criticised Australia’s move, labelling it a “foolish choice” likely to increase attention on Owens and her controversial views.

Dr Eric Crampton: The stupid outrage industry

Classic-era Simpsons episodes may not have had the solutions to all of life’s problems, but they did get a few things right.

Be sceptical of monorail salesmen. The lesson also applies to hucksters for other grand council projects.

Both candidates for US President in 1996 were, in reality, aliens wearing human skin-suits, conspiring to enslave everyone no matter which party won. Don’t blame me, I voted for Kodos!

Candace Owens: "George Floyd is not a martyr - police brutality is a myth"

Candace Owens, a black American conservative political commentator who is not afraid to speak her mind, has taken to her Facebook page to set the record straight about George Floyd and those using his death to push their political agendas: