Dunne: ‘I wouldn’t accept Thiel case’
Peter Thiel seems to have gotten his timing bang-on.
The controversial billionaire, a backer of United States President Donald Trump, was granted New Zealand citizenship in 2011 by special grant.
He was far from meeting the eligibility criteria, having only visited the country for 12 days in the five years prior – 1338 days less than the normal requirement.
But then internal affairs minister Nathan Guy granted him citizenship anyway, using a ‘‘public interest’’ exception built into the law.
Guy stood by his decision – calling Thiel a ‘‘great ambassador’’ for New Zealand, despite the fact that he kept his citizenship completely secret for six years – but the new minister doesn’t agree.
Speaking to TVNZ yesterday, current Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said he wouldn’t have given citizenship to Thiel.
‘‘I wasn’t the minister at the the time; on the basis of the information I’ve seen, the answer is probably no,’’ Dunne added.
He said special circumstances applications came to his desk from time to time.
‘‘You deal with each one on its merits. All I’m saying is that on the basis of the public information that I’ve seen, I probably would have taken a different decision.’’
Guy said earlier this week that he had approved 833 exceptional circumstances citizenships during his time as internal affairs minister, and he didn’t regret this one or any others.
‘‘I back the decision in 2011, I back the decision now ... He’s a great ambassador and salesperson for New Zealand.’’
Guy could not recall if any of the other 833 citizenship applications he had granted were for anyone who had been in the country for as little time as Thiel had.
Dunne and Guy are members of the same Government but come from different political parties. None of Guy’s National Party colleagues have questioned the decision.
Thiel has yet to publicly comment on the circumstances of his citizenship, which was revealed in January.
Prime Minister Bill English has rejected the idea that New Zealand citizenship can be ‘‘bought’’.
‘‘It’s just someone who is able to contribute, that includes investment, and we are happy with the result of that,’’ he said.