Monday, 04 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull steadfast in coming as Immigration NZ reviews entry

By: Katie Harris and Raphael Franks
20 Mar, 2023 07:08 AM4 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
How West Auckland residents are faring after terrifying shooting, how many of us want dental care to be free and warnings as 200 US banks at risk in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald

An anti-transgender activist still plans to come to New Zealand despite Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ comments about Immigration New Zealand’s review of whether she should be allowed in.

British activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, was due to travel to Aotearoa to speak in Auckland and Wellington for her Let Women Speak tour this weekend.

Last week, the self-described women’s rights activist drew protests in Perth and Melbourne, with some people at the events seen giving Nazi salutes and shouting slurs at counter-protesters.

Speaking to the media, Hipkins said he condemned people who used their right to free speech in a way that seeks to deliberately create division.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

This, he said, applied to both the anti-transgender rights discussion and Nazi messaging.

Keen-Minshull told the Herald she hadn’t heard from Immigration New Zealand (INZ) but was aware of its review.

“I find [the review] absolutely Orwellian, insane. I would agree with [Hipkins], I condemn free speech when it’s used to silence women, for example when people say men can be women,” she said.

“Free speech is a difficult principle to uphold and I fundamentally uphold it.”

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Police are also gearing up for Keen-Minshull’s planned events, telling the Herald that officers would be present to monitor and respond to any issues that may arise.

“And to minimise disruption to the wider public.”

And Keen-Minshull told the Herald she was “delighted” police would be present - claiming pro-trans activists who turned up to her events posed a threat to her attendees.

She denied her supporters posed a similar risk and claimed: “There’s not a single woman who ever attended any of my events and has been the aggressor. Middle-aged women asking for their rights are not going and intimidating anyone on the opposing side.”

But when pressed on the presence of people at her events giving Nazi salutes, Keen-Minshall said: “They’re absolutely not associated with me whatsoever.

“I absolutely abhor anything to do with Nazis. It’s preposterous they even exist in 2023.”

Immigration NZ general manager Richard Owen told the Herald Keen-Minshull is the holder of British passport, which enables her to travel to New Zealand for a temporary visit without the need to apply for a visa in advance.

“Instead, all visa-waiver nationals who wish to visit New Zealand must apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).”

Owen said in completing an NZeTA application the applicant must declare any previous convictions or removals/exclusions from other countries. On arrival, the holder of an NZeTA applies for a visa to enter New Zealand.

He confirmed Keen-Minshull is the holder of an NZeTA.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

“INZ is now reviewing whether, in the light of the events at the weekend, Ms Keen-Minshull is still able to travel to New Zealand on the basis of the NZeTA that she holds without obtaining a visa first.”

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau told NZME Keen-Minshull’s views are strongly condemned and unwelcome in Wellington.

Whanau said although she cannot ban Keen-Minshull from speaking, she will support a counter-protest against her.

“Wellington is known as a diverse community that celebrates its rainbow and trans whānau,” she said.

“Her views are certainly not welcome.

“These views are dangerous and harmful for our community, and I am worried people are being so open about hating part of our community.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

“We know with our trans whānau there is quite a high suicide rate and that’s because they are made to feel less than human – views that will be heard this weekend contribute to that.

“It is grotesque and disappointing that it’s here in our city.”

Last week the Green Party said the Government should stop the anti-transgender activist from visiting New Zealand.

Green immigration spokesman Ricardo Menendez-March told RNZ the Government needed to consider the security risks to New Zealanders.

“I do think we should be considering whether her arrival to Aotearoa could pose a security risk for our communities and the repercussions that it could have when it comes to galvanising the far right.”

RNZ reported that Australian Liberal MPs David Southwick and Brad Battin said in a joint statement that last week’s incident was “an affront to every Victorian who values our inclusive, tolerant and multicultural society”.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

“The behaviours today by neo-Nazis are a deliberate attempt to incite hatred and violence and are nothing short of sickening,” it continued.

“These shameful individuals and the hateful ideology they push have no place in our state and must never be tolerated.”

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

World

Five New Zealand residents have escaped Gaza

04 Dec 04:22 AM
New ZealandUpdated

Ruthless-Empire: Police release photo of fabric found around toddler’s neck

04 Dec 04:01 AM
Crime

Seven years' jail for methed-up driver who killed a dad in high-speed crash

04 Dec 03:56 AM
Crime

Meth dealer set up shop inside drug rehab facility, Crown alleges at trial

04 Dec 03:52 AM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Five New Zealand residents have escaped Gaza

Five New Zealand residents have escaped Gaza

04 Dec 04:22 AM

Last month at least 11 Kiwi residents made it out of the embattled Palestinian territory.

Ruthless-Empire: Police release photo of fabric found around toddler’s neck

Ruthless-Empire: Police release photo of fabric found around toddler’s neck

04 Dec 04:01 AM
Seven years' jail for methed-up driver who killed a dad in high-speed crash

Seven years' jail for methed-up driver who killed a dad in high-speed crash

04 Dec 03:56 AM
Meth dealer set up shop inside drug rehab facility, Crown alleges at trial

Meth dealer set up shop inside drug rehab facility, Crown alleges at trial

04 Dec 03:52 AM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP