Singer 'welcome' despite violent past

Local support to allow singer Chris Brown into New Zealand despite his visa rejected to enter Australia.

A Rotorua District Council member supports American entertainer Chris Brown coming to New Zealand.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, a former chief executive of Women's Refuge, is the spokeswoman for a group of distinguished Maori women who have invited Brown to a pohiri at Nga Whare Waatea Marae in Auckland.

The 26-year-old singer was convicted for assaulting pop star and former girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. Because of his domestic-violence history he was this week denied a visa to perform in Australia in December.

At a press conference yesterday Ms Raukawa-Tait joined Dame June Jackson, Dame June Mariu, Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi and Lady Tureiti Moxon in supporting the singer's visit.

He is scheduled to perform in New Zealand following his planned Australia tour dates.

"No one supports Chris Brown's past domestic violence history but it's about going forward and sadly we still have major problems with Maori in this area," Ms Raukawa-Tait said.

"We all believe that this isn't about the person but the opportunity that must be afforded to those who have transgressed, to believe their past doesn't have to be their future, especially if they have paid their dues. Of course, New Zealanders are consistent. We don't do forgiveness very well. We will welcome him to our marae and then we expect him to address our youth about his past indiscretions and what he has learnt about life ..."