Phil Goff has been reportedly been invited to debate free speech against Pauline Hanson at an Auckland Council venue.
Mr Goff was invited by the previously inactive Government Accountability League, which emerged from hiatus recently after nearly 20 years.
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"As you have firm views on freedom of speech, or what appears to be censorship based on your own thoughts," the invitation, posted on the group's Facebook page, said.
"A great place to put the record right, or put your views why its (sic) your job to say who can speak at publicly owned facility's (sic).
"Also explain when freedom of thought and speech should be controlled by politics, PC culture, how you see yourself in your current roll (sic)."
Ms Hanson's event is planned to take place at the council-owned Takapuna War Memorial Hall on November 24.
She is a veteran Australian politician and leader of the far-right, anti-Islam and immigration One Nation party.
League president John Lehmann told NZME he believed the hall was the perfect place for the event to honour the "men and women who fight for freedom of speech".
Controversial far-right Canadian duo Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux have also been invited. Mr Goff opposed their presence at council-owned venues. Council-controlled organisation Regional Facilities Auckland cancelled the pair's booking at the council-owned Bruce Mason Centre - the pair later found a private venue at Auckland's Powerstation, but the event was cancelled at the last minute after an outcry on social media.
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Mr Lehmann denied the invites to both Mr Goff and the Canadians have been issued as a publicity stunt.
NZME reports the group is planning to make the event open to only "New Zealanders", but won't stop anyone from coming.
"We're talking about the direction of the country. Why would it be of any interest to a Czechoslovakian for example? So that's what the whole 'New Zealanders only' thing is about."
A representative for Phil Goff told NZME the Mayor's office had received the invitation, but had not yet considered it as he is on holiday.
Newshub.
