27 April 2010

Pauline Hanson pulled aside by New Zealand immigration officials

Controversial former politician Pauline Hanson was detailed by New Zealand Immigration officials on a recent visit to the country as part of a hiking trip.

New Zealand Visa

"I felt terribly embarrassed," Hanson told the Australian magazine Woman’s Day.

“They have a card that asks if you’ve had a criminal conviction of more than 12 months, so of course I had to tick yes. It didn’t ask whether the conviction had been quashed," she said.

"I was taken to another room and asked to 'please explain' about my time in jail."

Pauline Hanson was convicted in the Australian state of Queensland in 2003 for electoral fraud, but the conviction was later quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Hanson said New Zealand Immigration had no record of her conviction.

Hanson was eventually allowed into New Zealand, where she intended to hike with friends on the South Island, but she was angry about the experience.

"I need to have this cleared up. I am not a criminal."

Pauline Hanson’s political career was centred around a number of controversial policies, including a tough stance on immigration.
She plans to emigrate from Australia to England, where her family originates, in the near future.


The New Zealand Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their New Zealand visa applications to the New Zealand Embassy.

 


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