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NZ prime minister unhappy about Tyson visit
New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key has voiced his displeasure over Immigration New Zealand’s decision to grant Mike Tyson a visitor’s visa.
Speaking on a New Zealand breakfast TV programme, Key stated he had no idea why INZ had sanctioned the visit, as Tyson is a convicted rapist. The former world heavyweight boxing champion had been engaged to speak at Auckland’s Day of Champions in November.
Key feels that a visa would sanction the behaviour for which Tyson was handed down an six-year jail sentence by the US courts, adding that he would not himself have approved the visa as he considered the sentence a serious conviction for violence against women. In my view, he said, although the offence is well in the past, a conviction for rape is a very serious issue.
Under New Zealand immigration laws, a person who has received a sentence of more than five years is not allowed entry to the country, although discretion may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. Tyson’s conviction was in 1992, with the boxer serving three years before his release and subsequently turning his life around by helping underprivileged black youth.
Key admitted that INZ were entitled to make the decision that Tyson no longer presented any threat and had done his time. Tyson himself, speaking at a recent press conference, stated eh would regret the chance to give his inspiration speck at the forum, but refused to beg to be allowed to attend.
Speaking on a New Zealand breakfast TV programme, Key stated he had no idea why INZ had sanctioned the visit, as Tyson is a convicted rapist. The former world heavyweight boxing champion had been engaged to speak at Auckland’s Day of Champions in November.
Key feels that a visa would sanction the behaviour for which Tyson was handed down an six-year jail sentence by the US courts, adding that he would not himself have approved the visa as he considered the sentence a serious conviction for violence against women. In my view, he said, although the offence is well in the past, a conviction for rape is a very serious issue.
Under New Zealand immigration laws, a person who has received a sentence of more than five years is not allowed entry to the country, although discretion may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. Tyson’s conviction was in 1992, with the boxer serving three years before his release and subsequently turning his life around by helping underprivileged black youth.
Key admitted that INZ were entitled to make the decision that Tyson no longer presented any threat and had done his time. Tyson himself, speaking at a recent press conference, stated eh would regret the chance to give his inspiration speck at the forum, but refused to beg to be allowed to attend.
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