“Get Out!” New Zealand Bans Candace Owens in Latest Global Smackdown
“Get out!”
That’s the message New Zealand just sent to Candace Owens, the conservative firebrand whose penchant for controversy seems to know no bounds. The South Pacific nation made it clear this week: Owens is not welcome.
This comes on the heels of Australia slamming its doors shut on her last month. Owens, 35, had been gearing up for a speaking tour promising talks on free speech and faith. But both countries saw something different—an opportunity to block someone whose comments have stirred global outrage, especially her knack for downplaying the Holocaust.
New Zealand’s ban follows similar moves by Australia, where Immigration Minister Tony Burke minced no words. “Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction,” he said, pointing to her remarks that dismissed Nazi medical experiments as well as her inflammatory comments about Muslims. Burke added that keeping Owens out was in the nation’s best interest—a sentiment echoed by Jewish groups in Australia who petitioned to deny her entry.
A Legacy of Outrage
Owens isn’t exactly known for subtlety. She’s made a career out of courting controversy, with a particular fondness for Hitler comparisons. Back in 2019, she famously claimed during a London event, “If Hitler just wanted to make Germany great… okay, fine.” That jaw-dropping statement, followed by attempts to downplay it, cemented her reputation as a provocateur.
But it’s not just words that have caused trouble. The Christchurch mosque shooter’s manifesto infamously named Owens as a key influence, an association she’s denied but can’t seem to escape.
Will Other Nations Follow Suit?
New Zealand hasn’t publicly explained its decision to bar Owens, but the writing is on the wall. Her track record of inflammatory remarks and global notoriety has left her persona non grata in more than one country.
Could the U.S. ever take a similar stance? Don’t hold your breath. Here, Owens is free to peddle her incendiary takes, ruffle feathers, and stir up her loyal fanbase. But abroad? The world seems to be sending her a clear message: pack your bags and stay home.
For now, Owens’ “free speech tour” is anything but free—she’s finding out just how costly her words can be on the global stage. Soap opera villains couldn’t have scripted it better.
