Immigration New Zealand says it assumed from media reports that the celebrity chef Nigella Lawson had been banned from entering the United States - reports it now says are wrong.
Nigella Lawson. Photo: AFP
The department said earlier that Lawson, who has admitted to cocaine use, had to apply for a special direction to enter New Zealand to do promotional work for the chocolate maker Whittaker's.
But it says it has reviewed the information supplied as part of her work visa application and has determined Lawson is not currently excluded from the US.
Immigration NZ says it erred on the side of caution so her application could be processed in a timely matter.
It says Lawson will not need a special direction for future travel to New Zealand unless her circumstances change.
