Maori Party co-leaders write in support of Field

Phillip Field shows emotion at the High Court yesterday. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Maori Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia wrote submissions to the High Court in support of disgraced former MP Taito Phillip Field.

Field, 57, was sentenced to six years' prison in the High Court at Auckland on Tuesday, after a jury found him guilty of 26 charges of bribery, corruption and obstructing the course of justice.

TV3 reported tonight the Maori Party co-leaders, who supported Field during the inquiries and subsequent court case, had written to the sentencing judge.

Dr Sharples wrote that Field had always been a man of the people and urged his life long service be taken into account.

Mrs Turia said Field was highly regarded by Pacific people.

Prime Minister John Key said the pair had written as individual MPs, not in their ministerial roles, and he did not have a problem with that.

Justice Rodney Hanson said, during sentencing, he'd taken both these factors into account with a discount of 18 months on Field's sentence.

The judge didn't reveal the character references for Field he'd received.

During sentencing, Justice Hansen said the Thai practice of giving created the conditions that led to Field's offending but he lay the blame squarely on Field.

"An aggravating factor was that you were prepared to exploit the Thai nationals that you helped.

"They revered you ... and you cynically used their adulation."

The judge said it was a test of Field's character and one, in his view, he failed.

It was wrong for him to accept a reward for doing his job.

When then Prime Minister Helen Clark appointed Noel Ingram QC to investigate claims of wrongdoing, Field knew his career and reputation was on the line.

The inquiries were blocked when Field "shamelessly" traded on the friendship and loyalty of his Thai friends to try to avoid detection.

Justice Hansen said one lie followed another: "It was very much the tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive."

Crown Solicitor Simon Moore SC said it was a sad day for everyone in the community.

"No one is happy with any sentence but it was a careful judgment by a judge who sat through 15 weeks of evidence."

Field's lawyer Paul Davison QC said it was a tough penalty for someone like him, but he had prepared for a jail term.

"He's a strong man, he's composed and very secure in his knowledge of what he's responsible for."

- with NZ HERALD STAFF