Tyson not coming
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:47 am by David FarrarKate Wilkinson has announced:
Mike Tyson’s visa has been cancelled by Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson today.
Ms Wilkinson says the original decision to grant a Special Direction to Mr Tyson was a finely balanced call and a letter of support from the Life Education Trust, that would have been a benefactor from the visit, was a significant factor in approving the application.
“Yesterday evening the Life Education Trust contacted my office and asked for that letter to be withdrawn, making it clear that the Trust no longer wants to have any involvement with Mr Tyson’s visit.
“Given that the Trust is no longer supporting the event, on balance, I have made the decision to cancel his visa to enter New Zealand for the Day of the Champions event.”
Ironically just this morning Tyson said:
Convicted rapist Mike Tyson has brushed off criticism from John Key, saying there is nothing the Prime Minister can do about his entry to New Zealand.
Key had earlier said:
Key today said Immigration officials also let in other people with similar convictions who were in New Zealand for short periods.
“It’s a marginal call and there are always issues that have to be reflected.”
A “fairly liberal” view was taken if the crime was a long time ago and there had been no further offending, he said.
“I don’t have anything personally against Mike Tyson. But I have something deeply personal against people who rape other people and commit crimes against women.”
Key said he turned down “numerous” people for New Year or Queens Birthday honours because they had convictions for violence against women.
“I will not allow them to have that honour. I don’t think that should be bestowed on someone. So it is not specific against Mike Tyson, I’m just not fond of what he’s done.”
Every year the honours list was checked by the police and while speeding tickets and historic drink-driving convictions were normally looked past, violence against women was not, he said.
Tyson made it clear on television that he thinks he was framed for the rape conviction, which is rather different to someone who is remorseful for what they did.
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:49 am
A good call….. actions have consequences; particularly such serious actions.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 10:52 am
Drumroll….. Jimmy Smit will be here in a minute to say that the Government is attention seeking!
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 10:54 am
Kate Wilkinson totally stuffs up what was already a total stuff up.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:02 am
What a ridiciulous decision. The guy just wants to tell his life story and make some money, and there are plenty who would pay to hear it. Now this decission reversal makes NZ out to be a spiteful, petty minded little country of uptight hypocrites.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:02 am
Sylvester Stallone has been brought in as replacement to appease the boxing fraternity. Dotcom to reveal the information trail which points to punch drunk PM pressure to revoke visa.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:02 am
“I don’t have anything personally against Mike Tyson. But I have something deeply personal against people who rape other people and commit crimes against women.”
Typical Key PC double talk.
What’s wrong with saying that Tyson is an ignorant thug and a convicted rapist and I don’t want him in here?
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:09 am
This is on the Life EducationTrust website which reveals a bit more than the Minster’s press release and/or the media reporting of what actually happened:
“Mike Tyson Visa Application
Life Education Trust (NZ) Inc. became aware yesterday afternoon of a letter supporting Mike Tyson’s Visa application.
The promoter of the Mike Tyson event approached Life Education Trust (NZ) in August seeking whether Life Education Trust (NZ) would like the opportunity to be a charity partner of the event.
The Board of Life Education Trust (NZ) considered the offer at its meeting on August 24 and declined to be involved. The Chief Executive of Life Education Trust (NZ) advised the promoter of our organisation’s decision to decline any involvement, that same day in August.
Yesterday, upon a query from a member of the public and with support from Immigration New Zealand we became aware a letter of support had been submitted by one of our volunteer Trustees on behalf of the organisation. They had sought the opportunity for one of our local Trusts as part of their fundraising activity.
The Board of Life Education Trust (NZ) declined an offer to be associated with the event, because we do not believe Mr Tyson reflects the values of our organisation, what we teach children about the wonder of life, themselves, and other people.
This is a matter which the Life Education Trust takes very seriously and we have worked with Immigration officials to have the letter of support withdrawn. We are now undertaking our own internal process to address what has transpired.”
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:14 am
I listened to Tyson being interviewed by Newstalk ZB yesterday. Apart from the fact that the interview revealed that Tyson is anything but a motivational speaker, he still claims to have done nothing wrong, and that he was falsely imprisoned for consensual sex. If that is his attitude, he is not welcome here, and Kate Wilkinson has belatedly made the right decision.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:17 am
Is he coming to fight Grumpyoldhori?
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:20 am
They should just do something like this while he’s here.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:26 am
I don’t understand why anyone could consider an old head basher with a rape conviction to be an appropriate charity promoter.
And involving Life Education Trust is bizarre.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:35 am
This is NOT a good look. It is reminiscent of the infamous Tom Shand decision/intervention on Mandy Rice Davies (of Profumo infamy).
For the Life Education Trust to now write withdrawing its support is illuminating. It shows they have become bueaucratic muppets. When they supported Tyson’s application they would have been absolutely clear on his past.
The trust is just plain silly. Given the pack mentality of the MSM 2012 the trust would have gained from massive publicity.
Just plain dumb.
And, in passing, is it correct, as the Whale asserts, that a leading NP figure (Mr B he calls him) was given a gong after being convicted of violence?
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:36 am
Good call, even if he was framed ( who knows, it’s possible if unlikely ) in order to be a motivational speaker he would need to be able to transform that experience into a positive message, I have not heard the interview, but nothing I’ve read suggests any evidence of this.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:39 am
Shes a dumb bint. How the hell she ever got into Parliament and to be a Minister. Just goes to show the lack of talent on offer as regards pollies.
Vote:She obviously has no political antena what so ever. Anyone with a brain would know giving Tyson a visa would bring trouble.
October 3rd, 2012 at 11:40 am
I completely support Tyson not being granted an exception to visit. Not the government, but John Key. What I have issue with is Key jumping on any opportunity to make a press statement about a private immigration application before it has been decided in order to increase his votes amongst women voters. Key, the most populist prime minister of our time, cares for one thing and one thing only, and it’s certainly not the feelings of female rape victims. Never has he ever made a decision based on doing the right thing, or doing what is principled. It’s always about what will maximise his votes and retain his position as seat-warming Prime Minister without having to make tough calls that could possibly offend anyone.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:44 am
Nigel – Tyson doesn’t claim to be a motivational speaker. He is doing a show which many thousands have already paid to see worldwide. He has had a life full of ups and downs and is telling that story. Not really different to any other entertainer that people would pay to see.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:45 am
My understanding is that the purpose of this act was the protection of the NZ public from those that may pose a risk, demonstrated by their record. It’s not to punish people again later.
Tyson is a reformed man who has found peace through his faith (I don’t share it, but each to their own)
He clearly poses no risk to anyone, in fact hearing his story offers a solid message about the futile nature of violence and the danger of drugs.
I’d have given him a visa but attached a condition that he needed to do a talk at a young offenders jail.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:47 am
Cactus Kate tweeted:
White and black humour.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:48 am
This is a bullshit double-standards call.
Tyson not allowed -But if you are a ’cause célèbre’ that the lefties drool over you are welcomed with open arms.
Vote:Rubin Carter- Convicted Murderer, welcomed into New Zealand with open arms.
Damien Echols- Convicted murderer and paedophile, welcomed into New Zealand with open arms and much celebration (he is friends with Peter Jackson you know)
October 3rd, 2012 at 11:49 am
@ Jimmy Smits
“Key, the most populist prime minister of our time, cares for one thing and one thing only”
Unlike David Shearer & Grant Robertson, and Helen Clark and Phil Goff who are all paragons of self-sacrificing and virtuous civil leadership.
Please, give yourself an uppercut.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:53 am
Oh myt God, how many simple things can this National government fuck up? Talk about the reverse Midas touch. Incompetent nincompoops making badly informed, half-arsed decisions over everything from Kim Dotcom to Christchurch schools to Mike Tyson.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 11:53 am
It’s for his own protection,the Maoris might have seized him for stealing their taonga,that dreadful tat on the thugs face.
What is it about “sportsmen” and women who willingly go to their hotel rooms? If it’s a chat and a drink, one presumes there’s a bar or cafe. What’s going through the girl’s head?
Vote:Rape ,needless to say is appallingly wrong but where is the common sense here?
October 3rd, 2012 at 11:58 am
“What I have issue with is Key jumping on any opportunity to make a press statement about a private immigration application before it has been decided in order to increase his votes amongst women voters.”
My understanding is that a visa was granted because a charity sponsored him. Key said it was a line call. He made the comment after the event. Presumably he said that because he was asked. Journalists do tend to ask questions and raise issues. You may not have noticed such a practice. Key did not necessarily jump on any bandwagon. But, there you go again saying that it was basically a publicity stunt. I have not seen any public statements attributed to Key pre-dating the grant of the visa. Can you refer to them?
Nek minnit, the charity withdraws sponsorship. The minister decides that the application had no merit and reverses the decision. Again as far as I can see, Key was unaware of the withdrawal of the sponsor when he said that this was a line call. Now, it turns out that the charity never sponsored Tyson but some enthusiastic member held out that it did.
You have proven the appropriateness of my drumroll comment.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Well this yet again makes me glad I no longer live in New Zealand, a country full of lemon-sucking, ignorant, judgmental hillbillies and busybodies.
Tyson is no threat to anyone whatsoever. He served his time and paid his debt to society, and has not reoffended since. What is the point of denying a visa to him? So people can feel smug about their own self-righteousness?
I have no intention of defending Tyson, or his actions, or his character, either in the present or in the past, and people are welcome to their opinions, and welcome not to patronise any event to which he is a party. But this is such a small, petty, little-old-New Zealand thing of the Minister to do.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Longknives
I think it is pertinent to point out that Carter’s conviction was overturned.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:04 pm
John Key, the man that would tell us he alone knew nothing about Kim Dotcom, yet is all over an operational immigration decision.
Tui ad en route.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Common sense prevails. (at last)
NZer’s with convictions for pretty minor issues are precluded from entering the US regularly. Standard plea in mitigation from students to avoid conviction, on by comparison, minor criminal issues, is that it will affect their ability to travel.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Longknives
And Damien Echols was as good as.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Wilkinson..continually out of her depth on everything.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:18 pm
@blairm… I too am glad you aren’t here; it is not petty that a minister withdraws approval after it becomes apparent that supporting documents were incorrect; it’s the standard I expect. And to all you judging Tysons character as “ok” now , I suggest you look at his overall record. He is a serial offender and certainly not a role model for anyone who wants to be a leader.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:20 pm
“and Damien Echols was as good as.”
Bullshit- Don’t know what an ‘Alford Plea’ actually is then??
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:23 pm
And NZ needs the visit of a black idiot like Tyson like it needs another hole in the head – especially those south auckland brown kids.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:24 pm
And as for Rubin “I’m innocent” Carter…
http://www.graphicwitness.com/carter/moviepoints.html
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Liberals usually nod in support of the forgive-and-give-another chance mantra for criminals. This call will typically originate from the tiny Howard League for Penal Reform with its microsopic membership.
Our immigration policy has a number of times allowed in refugees who have a criminal past and go on to rape New Zealanders. Then, of course, we frequently allow non-resident criminals to stay because of family reasons.
Now the liberals join the Left and the ageing feminists in support of the gate being slammed in front of Tyson.
As for the calls above, such a that of s williamsheridan (at 10.29) sermonising that actions have consequences: that point’s not an issue. The issue is that consequences should be fair and as uniform as possible. As for williamsheridan’s 12.18 post defending the ministerial u-turn: where are you getting your information on Tyson, williamsheridan? Are you part of Wilkinson-Key’s PR machine?
If Tyson had been a musician or a painter or an academic, the mob would be bleating that he has served his time and should be allowed into NZ. If he had been an indigenous American Indian or an Eskimo rather than an African American, he might have met a red carpet rather than a gate.
Hypocrisy reigns,and the yakking liberal-left core tightens its control of our border policy.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Yes, unlike Shearer, Clark and co… At least they genuinely believe in what they say, misguided as their political leanings may be. Much like Christians like yourself, who genuinely believe in a sky fairy, as retarded as that may be. Key, on the other hand, is someone who knows what it takes to get the economy going, having done a commerce degree, but lacks the righteous conviction to carry out the steps necessary for fear of becoming an unpopular Prime Minister. Take the example of him ruling out Roger Douglas as a Minister, despite Douglas being the most capable man of the job.
Please, go waste your day by doing something unproductive like volunteering for Colin Craigh or praying for someone’s healing from a medical condition or some other retarded shit like that.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Amusing to hear all the criticism of Tyson by the perfect message boarders. Those of course that can see Tyson himself was never behind the 8 ball, never in situations where the odds were stacked against him, never disadvantaged by temperament, upbringing, abandonment or abuse. Those that paid good money in the hope that he would be thrashed in a fight or that he would devastatingly destroy an opponent. Those, who in fact would probably scared be shit less of him in person.
I don’t know who the nanny Life Education Trust are but they seem, like the other hysterical folk not to realise, that Tyson will endure time and be seen as a flawed champion – larger in the world memory than our dear leader and others whose names I already forget, a real life person whose life was on and off the rails more than once, someone who has prevailed but who may yet fall again, a freak show to some, a train crash, all the things that the timid enjoy watching as they sit cross-legged in excited horror. He may have no message for the enlightened, and his message for the sidetracked might be not to go there – further down the track because no good will come of it, learn to quell your own fires and care about yourself.
At least one woman went into his cave with him and didn’t like what happened, apparently unmoved by his name as ‘the baddest man on the planet. He paid his dues for that and as far as I know never ‘sold the story.’ Nor did he ever claim to be perfect and that may have been part of the worldwide fascination with him, along with his enormous talent as a boxer, the best of his time, a mercenary, a gladiator under lights. If he’s said that he’s a good man, I’ve never heard it. I have heard him say that he’s made efforts to get his life more ordered, yet we know he may yet die in a gunfight, or be driven to suicide because his fragility like his temperament is also clear -his ‘education’ has come from life and hasn’t made him perfect – but he’s real as are his triumphs and failures. To observe that, or listen to would benefit some, would be interesting to others or be some kind of horror – just as his life has been. You see what you get and I bet folks wouldn’t be falling to sleep listening to him, mumble or not and they would only be there because they wanted to. If they didn’t want to see him they wouldn’t go.
But hey, John doesn’t like him – nothing personal apparently. I bet Rob Muldoon would have let him in, and gone a round or two with him if necessary, but then again he was an old soldier who’d lived a bit.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Voice of Reason said
That may be so VoR; but based on the interview I heard with Tyson yesterday, it would be a long and painful listen; he’s not the finest communicator I’ve ever heard.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Meh – I’m trying to find some admiration for a highly-paid pro boxer who was pretty dirty in the ring, who then went on to became a convicted rapist, and now in later years is doing the speaking circuit….
Nope, nothing. I’m just not interested in anything he might possibly have to say about anything. Sorry!
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Nonsense. Countries reserve the right to refuse entry to people with criminal convictions. It is a right that is commonly exercised. The land of the free and home of the brave are known to do this themselves.
Interesting that people seem to think it would be good for us to sell our sovereignty.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Was highly paid,dirty ,now gone on the speaking circuit……
for a minute I thought you was talking about Bill Clinton or Tony Blair.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Yes it’s a method used to save face for the police and save money for the taxpayer.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:54 pm
KS – he may not be to your taste but having watched the movie TYSON and watching a few other interviews, the Oprah one for example, in my opinion his story is compelling.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
He should have raped someone in New Zealand – as a famous person he’d have been discharged without conviction and given name suppression. After all, convicting him would limit his ability to travel – can’t have that happening.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Good call. The guy is a slimeball. Perhaps his supporters have an enthusiam for the barbaric, anachronistic ‘art’ of pugilism (and ear biting). And poor old Key; if he doesn’t take a personal interest in ministerial decisions he is ‘negligent’, if he does he is ‘interfering’. Gotcha politics is alive and well in Planet Labour.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Trout posted at 1.06:
But rugby’s okay, Trout? And judo? And karate? At least in boxing, injured boxers are scrutinised for brain damage. What do you think about Sonny Bill W. in the ring?
Again, if Tyson had been a musician, a painter, an academic, or had he been an American Indian or Eskimo rather than an African American, there would be a roaring call for him to be allowed into NZ.
The ideal persona for this man, from an NZ liberal’s point of view would be: a gay (out of the closet since his rape conviction), part-American Indian, marijuana addicted, musician, pacifist, and environmentalist who happened to be a former boxer. And of course, now a Muslim convert.
Would he be shut out then? Yeah right.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Good call.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Don’t Panic
Dotcon will stand in for him and tell New Zealand how he has so far fooled everybody too.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Kate Wilkinson is a smart cookie, she did what she was told to do and that was to revoke Tyson’s visa because John Key wasn’t enthusiastic about it been granted in the first place.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 3:14 pm
We will not allow someone in who may may not have been guilty. There has been more than a few innocent men executed in the US. On the other hand we welcome Slick Willie, a definite sexual predator and likely violent rapist while he was Governor of Arkansas but had enough influence not to be charged.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Of course Tyson could be an innocent man wrongly convicted.
Given the facts surrounding the rape case I suspect that may be the case.
This decision disgusts me!
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 3:49 pm
“Convicted rapist Mike Tyson has brushed off criticism from John Key, saying there is nothing the Prime Minister can do about his entry to New Zealand.”
Little did he know that New Zealand is a dictatorship where democracy is practiced one day in every three years.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Neither Mike Tyson or O.J. Simpson have been convicted of murder. Tyson has been convicted of Rape, O.J. hasn’t. Maybe O.J. should be asked to stand in.
Seriously I think we should harden up and keep all these undesirables out.
Vote:October 3rd, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Yeah after all OJ is a former glove man.
Vote:October 4th, 2012 at 6:43 am
Julianna Venning , who alerted John O’Connell to the letter of support , is a very impressive , intelligent woman ex Christchurch.
Vote:October 4th, 2012 at 7:18 am
I simply do not care if Tyson comes to NZ or not.
What gets me is that there are hundreds of Kiwis who want to go and hear this thug speak. Who in their right mind wants to be “motivated” by somebody like Tyson?
I have heard Tyson apologists say that he (Tyson) is a very intelligent man, I have never seen any evidence of that intelligence.
If the promoter of this event can make money out of other peoples stupidity then so be it, who the hell are we to stop him.
Vote:October 4th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@joanna, really? Or is she an opportunistic political “feminist”? This strikes me as a purely symbolic vindictive action by someone who has no direct connection either with Tyson’s original disputed offence or with the likely consequences of his visit.
Vote:October 4th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
he probably acheived more in the last week than someone like Cactus Kate has in her lifetime
Vote:twitter was made for her vapid and inconsequential mindfarts
October 9th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
Wow. For all those people who think Mike Tyson is a wonderful role model for our children, feel free to read the following about an interview with Mike Tyson just last year: http://sistertoldjah.com/archives/2011/09/20/espn-radio-hosts-find-a-rapist-joking-about-sarah-palin-being-raped-hilarious/?wpmp_switcher=mobile
If you still think he is a great role model for our children, and that we can’t and don’t have better examples of humanity in many of our wonderful NZders today, then all I can say is that I’m really glad that it doesn’t take a village to raise a child (especially in this sick society), which may have been a wonderful idea a couple of generations ago, but is a really bad idea in today’s culture.
Vote: