New Zealand is "hostile" to the views of the two far-right speakers who toured Australia but had to cancel their event across the Tasman, its prime minister says.
Controversial Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux canned their show in Auckland on Friday night after the owners of the private venue they had booked pulled out.
Speaking to media as she returned to Wellington after ending her maternity leave, PM Jacinda Ardern was asked about Mr Molyneux's claim New Zealand was "hostile to free speech".
"I think we're hostile to their views," she replied.
Canadian far-right podcaster Stefan Molyneux speaks during a 'Rally for South Africa' demonstration in Sydney. Source: AAP
"They're here because there were no grounds to block them being here. But that does not mean we welcome their views.
"I think you'll see from the reaction that they have had from New Zealanders that their views are not those that are shared by this country and I'm quite proud of that."
The cancellation followed a move by Auckland's council to not allow the duo to speak at venues it owned on health and safety grounds.
That decision prompted a heated debate on free speech in the country.
The pair are known for controversial views on feminism, immigration and Islam and Ms Southern was banned from entering the United Kingdom in March.
She was also initially barred from entering Australia last month but granted access at the last minute.
When the pair spoke in Melbourne in July, protesters clashed with riot police.
