Details behind Immigration New Zealand's decision to ban LA rap group Odd Future from the country in February have been released.
The group, who were meant to support Eminem at his show at Western Springs, were told they were not welcome in New Zealand just two days before the concert, after Immigration new Zealand deemed them to be a threat to the public.
However, documents released under the Official Information Act have revealed border operations manager Karen Urwin hoped the decision would result in a positive news story for the the government agency.
On February 12 an email had been sent to INZ staff asking: "Anything (legal) we can use to stop these people from coming?"
In the email chain that followed, Urwin wrote: "Given that this group's intended appearance already has the lobby groups up in arms, our denying them entry will undoubtedly generate some media interest (shades of Mike Tyson,) however I think we have the opportunity to spin this in to a good news story for INZ.