Mike Tyson banned from making first visit to New Zealand
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Mike Tyson has been banned from visiting New Zealand because of his conviction for rape.
The former world heavyweight boxing champion had been booked as the headline act at the Day of Champions Event in Auckland next month.
Under New Zealand law, anyone who has served more than five years in prison is automatically forbidden entry to the country, unless a special waiver is granted.
Tyson, 46, was sentenced to six years in jail in 1992 for the rape of 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington in an Indianapolis hotel room.
Kate Wilkinson, the Associate Immigration Minister, originally approved his visit after receiving a letter of sponsorship from a leading health and drug education charity, according to the Daily Telegraph.
But, on Wednesday, she announced his visa had been revoked, explaining: "Yesterday evening the Life Education Trust contacted my office and asked for that letter to be withdrawn, making it clear that the trust no longer wants to have any involvement with Mr Tyson's visit."
John O'Connell, the trust's chief executive, said the letter of support had been sent without officials' knowledge by a well-intentioned volunteer.
"We are not really withdrawing the letter of support, we didn't know we had done it," he said.
The boxer still maintains he is not guilty, however, reacting angrily to a question regarding the conviction on a live broadcast of Television New Zealand, saying: "I didn't do the crime, I was set up, I don't care what people say.
"I didn't do that ----ing crime."
The decision to bar Mike Tyson from the country comes just days after its Prime Minister, John Key, stated he was opposed to the visit.
Mike had been booked to perform his one-man show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" as the headline act during the conference of motivational speakers.
He said: "I'm sorry they feel disappointed and I'm just living my life."
Wine tasting holidays
- Experience a 'walk-in wine list' at the One&Only Cape Town resort<p> Buff up your wine knowledge at the impressive <a href="http://capetown.oneandonlyresorts.com/cuisine/wine.aspx">Wine Loft at One&Only Cape Town</a>. It has over 5,000 bottles, from prestigious older vintages of Cape classics to newer wineries in emerging terroirs - all showcased in a magnificent glass library. With almost 100 labels available by the glass, tasting sessions will be offered at the Chef's Table.</p>
- <p> Housed in a magnificent tri-level structure, the Wine Loft also act as a 'walk-in' wine list for guests dining at maze. One&Only Cape Town is an urban resort and a significant landmark in Africa. With its bold, contemporary design, the exciting venture promises to transform the city's waterfront. The hotel features 131 rooms - the most spacious in Cape Town - with captivating views of Table Mountain, and will be home to Africa's first Nobu restaurant by Nobuyuki 'Nobu' Matsuhisa. It will also feature an exclusive Spa Island offering the most expansive and comprehensive spa in Cape Town.</p>
- Viticulture in the wine estates of South Tyrol, Northern Italy<p> Grape seeds found in iron-age strata testify to over 3,000 years of wine-growing tradition in South Tyrol in the Italian Alps. Today the region offers a broad range of grape varieties yielding impressive wines, from full bodied reds which thrive in the hot, lower vineyards to elegant, perfumed whites usually associated with northern Europe.</p>
- <p> Staying on vineyards and experiencing South Tyrol's viticulture is an increasingly popular concept in the region. The four-star Stroblhof hotel, restaurant and wine-growing estate (<a href="http://www.stroblhof.it/" target="_blank">stroblhof.it</a>) in San Michele di Appiano/St Michael Eppan is a country manor dating back to the 16th century exhibiting the perfect balance between traditional and modern. Every corner in the Stroblhof maintains history and tradition. The wine estate's restaurant offers South Tyrolean specialities, Mediterranean cuisine and typical Italian dishes, accompanied by wines from the estate. The Stroblhof boasts a steam bath, refitted sauna with organic herbs and bath installations.</p>
- Sample a drop of port in Portugal<p> Port is perhaps the most well-known of Lisbon's traditional goods, so visitors with a taste for the tipple should pay a visit to the vintages at the Instituto do Vinho do Porto in the Bairro Alto district. Firmly on the tourist trail, visitors can relax in leather chairs in this comfortable old mansion and be lured with over 300 types of port starting at a few euros a glass.</p>
- <p> After trying out a few different ports, you can order a bottle of your favourite or head to the nearest specialist shop, deli or supermarket to buy in bulk for the trip home. Stay at the York House Hotel, a stylish boutique property located near the Santos district of Lisbon.</p>
- Take a food and wine course at Le Manoir<p> World renowned chef and owner Raymond Blanc considers wine to be as important as the food he serves his customers. Great thought has gone into Le Manoir's wine collection. Their cellar is home to 1000 different wines; 60 per cent of the wines are of French provenance while New World wines are growing in presence. The Raymond Blanc cookery school, based at Le Manoir, offers guests a residential Food and Wine course which is taught by Raymond and is ideal for those who have a passion for food, wine and entertaining. During the day, students are guided through tutored wine tastings and will create some of Le Manoir's classic dishes while gaining expert advice on making the best sauces and stocks.</p>
- <p> The course includes a day's tuition, with refreshments throughout and an informal lunch with your fellow students, a celebratory dinner with accompanying wines, overnight accommodation in one of Le Manoir's superb bedrooms and breakfast the following morning.</p>
- Stay on a vineyard and learn to cook at Llanerch Vineyard, Cardiff<p> It comes as a surprise to most visitors, but Wales is home to several vineyards and one of the best is <a href="http://www.llanerch-vineyard.co.uk/" target="_blank">Llanerch Vineyard</a>, located just outside Cardiff and the largest commercial vineyard in Wales. Vines were first planted at Llanerch in 1986 and were subsequently planted each year until 1991, when a total of nearly seven acres of vines were growing. Guests can take a wine tasting tour of the vineyard, purchase some labels exclusive to Llanerch, take a cookery course at the vineyard's cookery and stay the night.</p>
- <p> The vineyard has stylish four-star accommodation, wine tasting and a restaurant run by one of Wales' most respected chefs, Executive Chef Hywel Jones. The cookery school provides a range of courses and special events and with much produce being locally sourced (and the wine coming a few metres from where you'll drink it), it's easy to get cooking with fewer food miles. Nearby there's stunning countryside to explore in the Brecon Beacons (The Vineyard will even pack you a picnic hamper) or Cardiff is just 20 minutes away.<br /> </p>
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