Candace Owens: Far-right US commentator’s Auckland show postponed amid Immigration NZ assessment

Controversial far-right commentator and conspiracy theory promoter Candace Owens’ Auckland show scheduled for next week has been postponed.

The 35-year-old, who last month had her Australian visa cancelled, was set to give a speech at West Auckland’s Trusts Arena on November 14.

The Trusts Arena posted on its Facebook page on Wednesday morning, saying the Candace Owens show had been postponed by the promoter.

“We are working closely with the promoter and will share further information as soon as it becomes available,” the post read.

Owens began her career as a conservative activist, joining the conservative media company The Daily Wire in 2021 but was fired in March for promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

In recent months, she has leaned into anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, including holocaust denial, spurred by her stance on the October 7 attacks on Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza.

Immigration New Zealand has confirmed it is assessing the visa application for Candance Owens after her entry to Australia was blocked.

In August, Owens announced a speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand this month - but her Australian visa was cancelled last minute.

Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke said: “From downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about [German SS officer Josef] Mengele through to claims that Muslims started slavery, Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction”.

“Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else.”

Deputy chief operating officer of Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Jeannie Melville, said they were still processing the application from Owens for an entertainer’s work visa.

“Her application is being assessed against all relevant immigration requirements,” Melville said.

She said all visa applications must meet specific requirements, including a good character assessment that considers factors such as criminal convictions, deportation history, and potential risks to New Zealand’s security, public order, or public interest.

“There is currently no provision in the Immigration Act to prevent a person travelling to New Zealand based solely on their previous expression of opinion and ideas,” Melville said.

“Immigration decision-makers have to weigh up all the factors and assess whether an individual presents a threat or risk to security, public order or the public interest and can be deemed an excluded person.”

Holocaust Centre of New Zealand chairwoman Deborah Hart earlier said Owens’ comments about Jews tied into age-old anti-Semitic conspiracies.

“Candace Owens has some very wacky ideas. She says that Jews orchestrated JFK’s assassination and she distorts the Holocaust, including questioning the medical experimentation in death camps. In 2022 she defended Ye (Kanye West) when he said he would go ‘Deathcon 3 on Jewish people’. She believes there was no moon landing,” she told the Herald.

Holocaust Centre of New Zealand chairwoman Deborah Hart said Owens’ comments about Jews tied into age-old anti-Semitic conspiracies.

“Indeed she seems to have an unhealthy preoccupation with Jews as she has a lot to say about a group of people that is less than 0.2% of the world’s population. She also has some awful things to say about the gay community and Muslims.”

Hart said there had been a sharp rise in anti-Semitism in New Zealand, and was concerned Owens could further stoke that.

“There is a balancing act between the right to free speech, which should be protected and the right to safety and security of minority communities, which should also be protected,” she said.

“The Jewish community is tiny in New Zealand and it is also vulnerable. It has of late suffered verbal threats, physical abuse and property damage.”

Hart said if Owens’ visit to New Zealand went ahead she should be treated “with the disdain she deserves”.

“We should all just turn our backs on her. She actually is good for a sound bite, but she doesn’t have much new to say that is grounded in evidence. On that basis she is pretty boring.”

New Zealand has previously denied entry to Holocaust denier David Irving in 2004.

In 2018, Canadian provocateurs Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern - who were known for holding far-right views on immigration, feminism and Islam - were due to speak in Auckland twice, but both venues pulled the pin.

Former Auckland Mayor Phil Goff seemingly banned the pair and said they were not welcome to use city-owned venues, leading to court action by a pro free speech group.

Minister of Justice at the time, Andrew Little, said: “Their message is insidious, it’s nasty and of course you can say anything in the interest of freedom of speech but to just attempt to sow a destructive message … I’m glad they are going sooner rather than later.”

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