Wellington's Victoria University has hit pause on a controversial debate, after student backlash.

A panel discussion around the role of universities in free speech has been pushed back to the end of May, following the opposition from students.

The Free Speech Union's Jonathan Ayling, who was expected to attend, has expressed confusion at being included as part of the backlash.

"I challenge anyone to find references to me spouting hate speech of any kind. It is simply the fact -and my opponents will admit this - that I have defended speech rights of those who they claim have expressed hate speech."

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• 'Unbalanced': Victoria University Students' Association president addresses postponed free speech event
• 'Travesty for society': Victoria University Vice-Chancellor on the concerns generated by free speech event