(Source : Daily Mail) Global YouTube sensation IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is under investigation by New Zealand immigration authorities for potentially breaching the conditions of his tourist visa. The 19-year-old American, known for his wild livestreams and celebrity collaborations, sparked controversy after being mobbed by fans in Rotorua while performing a traditional haka dance on Sunday.
Watkins, who boasts over 33 million YouTube subscribers and generates over US$1 million annually from his channel, was in New Zealand as part of his Australasian tour. However, his actions have raised questions about whether he should have been on a work visa, rather than a visitor visa, as his activities may have crossed into areas that require employment authorization. In New Zealand, visitors are not permitted to work or perform activities that generate income without the appropriate visa.
The incident occurred in Rotorua when Watkins was surrounded by fans who began performing the iconic “Ka Mate” haka, popularized by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. Watkins, excited by the performance, asked the crowd to teach him the haka, and soon led his own rendition in front of the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village, all while streaming the event to his massive online audience.
Over 53,000 people tuned in to watch the moment live, which stirred debate among viewers. While some questioned whether it was disrespectful for an American to perform the haka, Māori YouTuber Jimmi Jackson, who participated in the livestream, helped teach Watkins the traditional dance.
Despite the positive reception from fans, the performance has triggered scrutiny from New Zealand’s immigration authorities. According to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), anyone in the country on a visitor visa is not allowed to engage in work or any activities that result in payment or reward. The agency confirmed that Watkins was visiting New Zealand on a tourist visa with a visa waiver and that it is currently assessing his case through its standard compliance procedures.
This investigation follows a string of high-profile visa breaches in the region. Last week, two OnlyFans stars, Bonnie Blue and Annie Knight, were deported from Fiji after it was revealed they had violated their tourist visa conditions while filming adult content.
IShowSpeed, who has recently made headlines for his viral pranks and high-energy livestreams, returned to Sydney on Tuesday, following his time in New Zealand. His tour in the region saw him mobbed by fans in Queenstown, Auckland, and Rotorua, with school children skipping classes to catch a glimpse of the internet personality.
As the investigation into his visa status continues, questions remain about the broader issue of visa conditions for influencers and content creators who travel internationally to film and generate income.
