American singer Chris Brown has tweeted his thanks to several high-profile Maori women who have called for him to be allowed into the country to perform.
Chris Brown in concert Photo: AFP
Dames Tariana Turia, June Jackson and June Mariu along with Lady Tureiti Moxon and the former chief executive of Women's Refuge, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait yesterday said they supported him coming to New Zealand.
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Dame Tariana Turia said her grandchildren believed Brown could have a positive influence.
"Nothing more amazing than strong women. Thank you to Dame Tariana Turia and everyone who showed their support in NZ." Brown said in his tweet.
Brown was convicted of domestic-violence assault in 2009 and is automatically blocked from entering New Zealand.
The women acknowledged what they called New Zealand's long shameful history of domestic violence but Ms Raukawa-Tait said Brown, who has a conviction for assaulting pop star Rihanna, had changed his behaviour and now had his daughter back by his side.
Dame Tariana maintained that young people would listen to Brown.
"I've had young people say to me 'you know whaea, I really love you, but would I really listen to you? Have you had the experiences in life that I'm having?'.
"And I know I haven't - so they want to hear from people who they think have been down their pathway," she said.
Dame Tariana added that "good, bad, ugly or otherwise" young people were more likely to be "in tune" with Brown.
Brown, 26, has been banned from the United Kingdom and Canada.
It is believed he will be applying for a visa in the near future.
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has previously said that Brown could enter the country through a special direction under the Immigration Act.