Field stepdaughter lashes out at 'Labour conspiracy'

Taito Phillip Field listens to the verdicts. Photo / Martin Sykes

Even before the guilty verdicts were read to Taito Phillip Field, his wife Maxine Field was crying softly and his family were preparing for the worst.

Yesterday Field entered the history books, becoming the first New Zealand politician to be convicted of accepting bribes and acting corruptly.

Mrs Field sat looking stunned with her head down as supporters told her it wasn't over, while younger members of the Field family left the crowded court before all the 35 verdicts had been read.

Through her tears, Mrs Field said in Samoan that her heart went out for Taito.

Field's stepdaughter Dorothy Hunter -who allowed star Crown witness Sunan Siriwan to stay at her Samoan home - told the Herald she felt anger towards the Thai people Field and her family had helped.

"We were good to them, we let them stay and look what they have done," she said.

Ms Hunter said her stepfather was innocent and accused the Labour Party of orchestrating a conspiracy.

"It's been a conspiracy from the start. Helen Clark was unhappy with him, they all were [unhappy] because he crossed the floor [of Parliament] several times."

Crown Solicitor Simon Moore said the case had been important because bribery and corruption struck at the heart of "who we are as a people".

"This is the first case of its kind so it is very significant. We live in a society that prides itself on the fact that we are pretty straight. We pride ourselves on our police department, which is largely free of corruption, and a public service devoid of corruption which is a wonderful model when compared with ones overseas."

Mr Moore said the fact the charges were laid and convictions reached said a lot about the community.

"It's important our officials undertake their roles without hint of reward."

He said society would fall down if the practice was widespread and he expected there would be a "level of comfort rather than concern" with the verdicts.

Field's lawyer, Paul Davison QC, said the former Mangere MP was very disappointed with the verdicts.

"It's been a very long and difficult trial. It's always difficult when the outcome was not the outcome we've been working so hard to achieve."

It was too early to talk about the prospect of an appeal, he said.

Inquiry head Detective Superintendent Malcolm Burgess said a significant factor in the convictions was the evidence given by key witnesses who were prepared to come forward.

"For some of them giving evidence was an extraordinarily harrowing experience and I'm grateful these witnesses had the courage to stand up and be counted."

Police accepted the jury's decision to acquit on some of the charges. "It seems clear the jury carefully considered all the evidence and that is all we can ask."

Field stared directly at the forewoman as she began reading the verdicts but his gaze then shifted away. He remained calm, displaying no emotion before he was led away.

Of the 12 charges of corruption and bribery he was found guilty of 11, with 15 charges of wilfully perverting the course of justice. He was acquitted on eight charges.

The man who replaced him as MP for Mangere, Sua William Sio, said he acknowledged the court's decision, but would not comment further. Labour leader Phil Goff said: "It's disappointing that a parliamentarian was found guilty of that conduct.

"The verdict is an indication that whatever you are in society you are equal under the law ... the law has followed its course."

Justice Rodney Hansen called for a pre-sentence report and allowed Field's bail to continue. He will be sentenced on October 6.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: Wayne Thompson