Odd Future banned from entering New Zealand

Authorities claimed the group posed a 'threat to public order'

Controversial hip-hop collective, Odd Future (AP)

American rappers Odd Future have been banned from entering New Zealand after authorities deemed them a “threat to public order”.

Border authorities declined visas to the six group members after becoming aware of a 2011 incident in Boston in which witnesses claimed members of the rap group incited fans to attack police officers.

Odd Future member Tyler, The Creator vented his frustration about the decision on Twitter, writing: “They said we were ‘terrorist threats and bad for society’ or whatever. Sick.”

He later clarified: “I love NZ tho.”

The group were due to play an open-air concert in Auckland with headline Eminem on Saturday.

Karen Urwin, border operations manager, said: “It’s not a decision we take lightly and not one that happens often.”

She added it was rare to ban musicians under rules that normally cover character concerns, which were normally applied to stop white supremacist group leaders and high-profile Holocaust deniers.

In an official statement, Immigration New Zealand said: “Odd Future has been deemed to be a potential threat to public order and the public interest for several reasons, including incidents at past performances in which they have incited violence.”

The hip-hop group, which is also known as Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, is known for its anarchic style and lyrics that reference drugs, killing and rape.

In the 2011 incident, Tyler, The Creator was signing autographs at a comic store when police were called because of the large number of fans. News reports at the time said Tyler and two others climbed on the roof and shouted insults at the police, and some viewed that as inciting fans to attack.

In 2012, New Zealand banned former heavyweight boxing champion and convicted rapist Mike Tyson from coming to a speaking engagement due to his criminal history.

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Last year it banned musician David Rovics, citing his blog posts on drug-taking and a Canadian ban for giving false information to immigration officials there.

With additional reporting from the Associated Press