Hon Iain Lees-Galloway

Minister of Immigration

20 July 2018

Immigration New Zealand has granted Lauren Southern and her speaking partner Stefan Molyneux specific purpose work visas to visit New Zealand for public speaking events, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says.

This specific purpose work visa will enable Ms Southern and Mr Molyneux to spend 10 days in New Zealand.

“INZ’s decision in no way condones the views expressed by the pair, which are repugnant to this Government and run counter to the kind and tolerant values of the vast majority of New Zealanders,” Iain Lees-Galloway said.

“I understand that many people would prefer it if Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux never set foot in New Zealand. However the Immigration Act and immigration instructions have clear criteria for the granting of a visa, including certain character requirements, all of which I have been advised the pair meet.

“Neither speaker has been convicted of a crime, nor banned from the United Kingdom or Australia as has been previously reported,” Mr Lees Galloway said.

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