R&B singer Chris Brown was scheduled to play at Vector Arena this month. Photo: AFP/Michael Kovac /Getty Images North America
R&B singer Chris Brown has cancelled his New Zealand concert just over two weeks before it was due to take place.
He has also scrapped four Australian tour dates.
Brown caused a stir when he announced plans to visit New Zealand, with anti-violence groups speaking out against his trip because of his conviction for assaulting a former partner.
But he gained the support of several high-profile Maori women who called for him to be allowed into the country to perform.
He applied for a work visa for New Zealand three weeks before the 18 December concert as part of his 'One Hell of a Night' tour.
His conviction for assaulting his former girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 meant he may have needed a special direction under the Immigration Act to be able to enter the country.
The star was denied entry to Britain in 2010 and Canada earlier this year.
In a statement, his promoters said they and Brown remained positive that a tour will take place in the near future.
The promoters said Brown wished to express his deepest gratitude to the fans for their support and looked forward to a successful tour in the near future.
A version of this story was first published on radionz.co.nz.