New Zealand’s Immigration Department is reviewing the visa application of a controversial UK anti-transgender activist, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, after her supporters were seen performing Nazi salutes and abusing LGBTQIA counter-protesters at her event in Melbourne on Sunday. Keen-Minshull had planned to hold rallies at Albert Park in Auckland and Civic Square in Wellington this weekend.
Immigration New Zealand general manager Richard Owen confirmed that Keen-Minshull had applied for a visa waiver, as she holds a United Kingdom passport, but said that the department was reviewing her application in light of the recent events.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins condemned the use of free speech to incite violence or hateful behavior and noted that there were limitations on free speech under the law. However, he also said that he had not seen the details of Keen-Minshull’s comments and would not want to formulate a view without consideration.
Meanwhile, Wellington City Council confirmed that it had no ability to stop Keen-Minshull from holding a rally in Civic Square as it was a public space often used for rallies, and the Bill of Rights protected the right to freedom of expression. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau called Keen-Minshull’s views “grotesque” but said that there was little the council could do to stop the rally. Instead, a counter-protest had been organized, and Whanau said that she would be joining the counter-protesters.
The Green Party’s rainbow contingent has also written to the immigration minister calling for Keen-Minshull to be banned. Discussions about banning Nazi symbols in New Zealand were also underway.
