Bad boy Brown's NZ visit in jeopardy
Two New Zealand appearances by r'n'b singer Bobby Brown are in jeopardy following political interest in his background.

Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick raised the issue with the Department of Immigration last week, after his visit was questioned by the Rotorua Review.

"I am surprised to hear that Bobby Brown is to be welcomed to Rotorua and New Zealand," Mrs Chadwick said in a statement to the Rotorua Review yesterday. "I believe immigration should respond on a quid pro quo basis," she said.

"Would such a guy from New Zealand be allowed into the United States, even if he was a famous muso? Bobby Brown is not a role model for our sons and daughters."

Brown is scheduled to perform in Rotorua on July 15 at the Energy Events Centre and in Auckland on July 18.

Tickets for the Rotorua show went on sale last week at $54 each.

The matter is understood to have been discussed by Cabinet yesterday, but a decision was too late for the Review.

Aspects of Brown's questionable past, an unenviable litany of malevolence involving rape, sexual battery and drug use offences, have been raised with the department.

The legendary chart busting singer of the 1980s and 90s, was once married to singer Whitney Houston.

It is also understood that following the Review's inquiry, other unsavoury aspects of Brown's muddied background have been uncovered.

The Review questioned why the singer should be allowed in New Zealand with his background in view of relatively minor indiscretions which can preclude anyone from entering the United States.

Mrs Chadwick said she was awaiting the "appropriate" response from the department.

"I won't be going to Bobby Brown's concert; not as a statement against his string of violations and convictions but because I don't like his music," Mrs Chadwick said.


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