Field jury reduced to 11

Taito Phillip Field and his lawyer Paul Davison outside the High Court. Photo / Richard Robinson

The troubled jury selection process in the trial of former MP Taito Phillip Field has hit another hitch, with the jury now reduced to 11.

Justice Rodney Hansen said information came to light this morning which meant the jury foreman had to be discharged.

"The circumstances that have given rise to the decision I do not propose to divulge," he told the remaining jurors.

"But what I do want to emphasise is that it involves no personal reflection in any way at all on the character of your foreman."

Justice Hansen said he had power to continue the trial with 11 jurors and he had ordered it do so after there was no objection by the Crown or the defence.

Today's development came after seven of the jurors originally empanelled on Monday were discharged the following day. A further seven jurors were empanelled yesterday and heard half of the Crown's opening address, which was due to resume today.

Field is on trial on 12 charges of bribery and corruption as an MP and 23 charges of wilfully obstructing or perverting the course of justice.

- NZPA