Chris Brown thanks Dame Tariana Turia for her support

Musician Chris Brown has sent his thanks to Dame Tariana Turia after she came out in support of his planned tour of New Zealand.

“The Maori leaders are being completely naïve when they say they would look to Brown to show “strong leadership on the scourge that is domestic violence”.

Nothing more unbelievable than strong women. “Thank you to Dame Tairana Turia and everyone who showed their support in NZ”.

Despite her efforts, she said nothing has changed.The support of five new prominent and powerful Maori women comes after former Cabinet minister, Dame Turiana Turia, spoke in support of Brown being allowed to enter the country.

Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, 87, who established the Kohanga Reo movement, is also listed as a speaker alongside Lady Tureiti-Moxon, an executive member of the National Urban Maori Authority, director of Hamilton health provider Te Kohao and wife of New Zealand Anglican Bishop David Moxon.

“Domestic violence is a serious issue in New Zealand and its disappointing that it should be used in this way”.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait formerly of Women’s Refuge: “We believe having done the crime and done the time he should be able to enter the country”.

Brown, 26, has been banned from the United Kingdom and Canada.

“Of course there’s an element of race in it we can’t deny that, we are focusing on the positive we want to make sure that if there’s a message to be heard that it is heard loud and clear and that people understand that violence towards women is totally unacceptable”. Then, perhaps, his artistic contribution could be taken more seriously, says Nanaia Mahuta.

It is believed he will be applying for a visa in the near future.

Brown is still awaiting immigration clearance to confirm his scheduled gig at Auckland’s Vector Arena in December, with critics saying his domestic violence convictions should bar him from New Zealand.