Anti-transgender activist Kelly-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, will be allowed into New Zealand.
In a statement to Newshub on Wednesday afternoon, Immigration NZ general manager Richard Owen said her case has now been reviewed by the agency.
"After reviewing all publicly known information about Ms Keen-Minshull and seeking advice from other agencies we have concluded that there is no reason to believe that she is, or is likely to be, a threat or risk to the public order or public interest," he said.
"As a result we have determined that Ms Keen-Minshull does not meet the high threshold to be considered an excluded person under Section 16 of the Immigration Act 2009."
The Act says no visa or entry permission may be granted if the minister believes someone is likely to be a threat or risk to security, public order or public interest, or is a designated terrorist.
Minister of Immigration Michael Wood said he would prefer she "never set foot in New Zealand".
"I find many of her views repugnant, and am concerned by the way in which she courts some of the most vile people and groups around including white supremacists," Wood said.
"The decision on whether to suspend her NZeTA sits with Immigration New Zealand and they have assessed that she meets the criteria set out in the Immigration Act and regulations. This assessment took into account the events in Melbourne that occurred last weekend. I have been advised that this case does not meet the threshold for Ministerial intervention."
Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March reacted by saying New Zealand has the "tools to factor in public safety, and have used it to prevent performers and other people coming in the past".
"The violent rhetoric and rallies in Australia pose a direct physical safety risk to many communities here," he said.
"Our immigration system creates barriers explicitly targeting disabled, queer, and migrants from non-visa waiver countries while enabling ease of access to people from visa waiver countries affiliating to far right groups actively promoting violence to so many"
Keen-Minshull is a contentious British figure, who started the "Standing for Women" group that campaigns against transgender rights.
Immigration NZ began reviewing her planned travel to New Zealand on Monday after chaotic scenes at a speaking event she held in Australia over the weekend.
Police officers were allegedly assaulted in Melbourne on Saturday after pro-transgender and anti-transgender activists clashed at Victoria's Parliament where Keen-Minshull held an event. According to local media, at least three people were arrested for assaults during the clash.
Among those demonstrating was a group of neo-Nazis with a "destroy paedo freaks" sign.
Members of the Rainbow Greens called for her to be blocked entry to New Zealand, where she is speaking in Auckland and Wellington this weekend. Counter-protests are planned for during her speaking events.
They said there is reason to believe her arrival in Aotearoa New Zealand poses a significant risk and threat to public order and the public interest - particularly with respect to preventing violence towards members of the country's takatāpui, transgender and gender diverse communities.
After it emerged that INZ was reviewing her case and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins commented on this, Keen-Minshull said: "Revoke my visa at your peril".
"I tell you what Chris, I tell you what Mr Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, revoke my visa at your peril, let's see what happens," she said.
"When you stop a woman who is a women's rights campaigner, when you stop her from being able to come and facilitate the speech of women in your country... why don't you throw down that particular gauntlet?"
Hipkins said it was not something he would get involved in.
"Ultimately, whether someone meets the character test or not to enter New Zealand isn't something that I would get involved in."
The Prime Minister added he believed in freedom of speech but there were lines that shouldn't be crossed.
"People are entitled to express their views, people are entitled to condemn other people whose views they disagree with," he said.
"No one's entitled to incite people to violence and to things such as that... I'd encourage everyone, when they're exercising their right to free speech, to do so responsibly. That's part of living in a community."
Owens said on Wednesday there is nothing in the Immigration Act or immigration instructions which "could be used to prevent a person travelling to New Zealand on a temporary basis based on their previous expression of opinion and ideas".
"We appreciate that some people will not agree with this assessment, but it is critical that INZ applies the law in all such cases, regardless of the views the individual holds.
"The assessment means that Ms Keen-Minshull can use her visa waiver status as a British citizen and travel to New Zealand on the basis of holding a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)."
Wood said the welfare and safety of the transgender community will be front of mind this weekend.
"Event organisers maintain the primary responsibility to ensure they run a safe and secure event and police have advised they will also be in attendance to ensure public safety.
"I condemn her inflammatory, vile and incorrect worldviews, and will always stand alongside those New Zealanders who use their own right to free speech against those who wish to take society backwards."
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau said on Monday she condemns the views and actions espoused by Keen-Minshull.
"While I acknowledge that freedom of expression, movement and peaceful assembly are rights preserved in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, this protest is against principles Wellingtonians, and me personally, hold dear.
"In Wellington we proudly celebrate and welcome diversity and inclusion of all members of our community. A great example of that will happen this weekend when around 100,000 come together to enjoy CubaDupa.
"While people are free to express their views at the event, troublemakers are not welcome in Wellington. I will not welcome them. We will work closely with Police to ensure the event and any counter protests that may occur are peaceful."
In an open letter to the Minister of Immigration, the Greens said Keen-Minshull has a "longstanding track record of hateful speech and the incitement of violence towards trans and gender diverse people as well as other marginalised communities".
They said there is a "strong public interest" in preventing the spread of hate.
"This is because it directly threatens the human rights and bodily integrity of people—in this case, our takatāpui, trans and gender-diverse communities. It is also because these networks of extremists are connected and reinforce one another.
"By permitting one form of anti-trans extremist to enter the country, you will also risk emboldening and strengthening related groups within the same networks."
Following the events on Saturday, the Victorian Government said it would fast-track plans to outlaw the public display of the Nazi salute.
Keen-Minshull has been on a speaking tour of Australia and will visit Auckland and Wellington this weekend to speak in public areas.
