Should Mike Tyson Be Allowed In New Zealand?

Mike Tyson is a settled down married man who is a vegan and doesn't drink, but he was convicted of rape in 1992 and sentenced to six years in jail where he was released after three years after converting to Islam.  He was once the WBA, WBC and IBF World Heavyweight Boxing at the age of 20 years old.  He is now 46.  But does his choice of lifestyle, diet or religion mean that he isn't capable of crime?

He was only allowed a visa to enter New Zealand because Life Education Trust supposedly wrote a letter to help get his application processed, but apparently it wasn't approved internally by them first and so they withdrew his application for a visa.  The problem is that we don't usually allow people to get visas if they have had five year prison sentences. 

Should an exception be made for Mike Tyson?

He has sold tickets to his show ranging in price up to $395 for premium tickets where he will talk about his life and how he overcame adversity.  He has lead an interesting life which has seen him become a movie star for his role in the Hangover movies.   I would imagine him attracting a rough crowd, but it sounds like there have been plenty of pre sales.  He would be interesting to listen to, although I would probably be scared of the other people who would be attending.

Tyson has travelled to other countries of the world, is New Zealand giving itself a bad name by not letting him enter our country?  Some groups who deal with rape don't want a convicted rapist entering our country.  Does the fact it was 20 years ago change things?

Do we forgive and forget letting Mike Tyson onto our shores?  Or should we stick to the rules and not let him get a visa for New Zealand?  I am assuming that he only needs a visa because he is trying to make money from his appearance in New Zealand.

My thought is although he is a scary man from a corrupt underworld of world boxing and crime, I think many New Zealanders could be inspired by the way he has turned his life around, so let him come.