Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has been granted a special visa to enter New Zealand despite admitting cocaine use.
Lawson has been issued a work visa to undertake promotional activities for chocolate manufacturer Whittaker's in May, Immigration New Zealand said in a statement.
Because she was barred from entering the United States, she was ineligible to be granted a visa to enter New Zealand unless given a special direction.
Immigration decided to allow the exception and approve her visa application, it said.
The US Embassy has not confirmed why it banned Lawson from entering the United States earlier this year, but media speculated it was linked to her past drug use.
The 54-year-old last year admitted taking cocaine and cannabis during the London trial of two former assistants, who were cleared of fraud.
UK police said they would take no action against her.
The domestic goddess and her husband Charles Saatchi divorced after photos emerged showing him grabbing her throat outside a London restaurant in June 2013.
