Nigella Lawson given special visa for New Zealand

LONDON, April 20 (UPI) -- Television chef Nigella Lawson was given special permission to travel to New Zealand despite her admitted drug use.

The Briton was barred from entering the United States, meaning she needed a special visa to gain entry to New Zealand.

That permission was granted so she could travel to the country for an advertisement for chocolate manufacturer Whittaker's.

"As Ms. Lawson has been excluded from another country, namely the United States, she was ineligible to be granted a visa to enter New Zealand unless given a special direction," a statement from Immigration New Zealand said.

"A special direction was considered and granted and subsequently her visa application was approved."

[New York Daily News] [New Zealand Herald]