Mike Tyson barred from entering New Zealand

October 03, 2012 08:33

The New Zealand government has blocked former heavyweight boxing champion and convicted rapist Mike Tyson from entering the country.

Tyson had originally been granted a visa, despite opposition from Prime Minister John Key, to visit in November for a charity event. But associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson said the visa has now been cancelled after the show sponsor, the Life Education Trust, made clear it "no longer wants to have any involvement" with 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," the minister said.

Wilkinson said the original decision to grant Tyson a visa was "a finely balanced call" and the letter of support from the Trust was a significant factor in approving the application.

Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison in 1992 for raping an 18-year-old woman and under New Zealand law anyone sentenced to more than five years in jail is denied a visa, although this can be waived in certain circumstances.

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