Former LABOUR Minister convicted of Bribery and Corruption

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Taito Phillip Field, the first New Zealand politician to be convicted of corruption, faces up to seven years in prison.


  The former MP has been found guilty of 11 of 12 charges ofaccepting bribes in return for immigration services. He was also foundguilty of 15 of 23 obstruction of justice charges.

  Field, 56, who always claimed he was innocent, will be sentenced on October 6 and could be jailed for a maximum of seven years.

  NewZealand's first Pacific Islands MP, Field was granted bail by JusticeRodney Hansen yesterday, then whisked out a back entrance of the HighCourt at Auckland.

  A weeping Maxine Field, his wife, had to be helped from court by family, all of whom refused to comment.

  Crown prosecutor Simon Moore said it was a crucial trial.

  "Bribery and corruption strikes very much at the heart of who we are as a people," he said after the verdict.

  DetectiveSuperintendent Malcolm Burgess, who led the investigation, said givingevidence was "an extraordinary harrowing experience" for somewitnesses. "I am grateful these witnesses had the courage to stand upand be counted," he said.

  Field's lawyer, Paul Davison, said it had been a long and difficult trial.

  "I'm disappointed, but Mr Field is very disappointed," he said.

  It was "premature" to consider an appeal.

  'REFLECTS BADLY ON PARLIAMENT'

  Prime Minister John Key said the case was a sad affair.

  "Ultimatelyit reflects badly on our Parliament. (I) can't comment on thesentencing cause that hasn't taken place yet but it's certainly a sadday," Mr Key told reporters in Cairns where he is to attend the PacificIsland Forum.

  He said it would be "unjustified" for this case to be taken as a reflection of the whole Parliament, he said.

  "Ithink it's an isolated case. I think Mr Field's been dealt with now bythe judiciary and ultimately has to face whatever sentence they decideis appropriate. I think New Zealanders should see it on that basis."

  He said it showed investigations into Mr Field ordered by the former Labour government were not looking for a solution.

  "Whatit shows you is when you are facing a very serious issue you actuallyhave to have a proper investigation and I don't think the terms ofreference were ever set in a way where the government of the day waslook for a conclusive outcome. Actually they wanted to park thesituation for political convenience."

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