MP admits drink-drive charge

MP Mark Peck is "eternally thankful" no other people were involved in the crash. Picture / Simon Baker

"I feel like crying. But I did it, I fronted up. There is no one else to blame."

Tears welled in the eyes of Labour MP Mark Peck outside the Queenstown District Court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to charges of drink-driving and careless use of a vehicle.

The accident was the catalyst for the 51-year-old to seek help for alcoholism.

He says the treatment is difficult but less so the longer it continues.

His colleagues in Parliament have been supportive "on all sides of the House" but he says the support of his family and friends is what keeps him going.

His Invercargill constituents have also offered encouragement: "I haven't had one bad letter or one bad phone call."

His time in the dock was brief. Judge Noel Walsh told him: "You are now a convicted drunk-driver" and that he had experienced a "life-changing event".

Peck was fined $1000 and lost his licence for six months.

The charges arose from an accident about 11pm on January 12 in which his car rolled after he lost control of it on a sharp corner near Queenstown. The vehicle slid on its roof for about 30m.

The MP had to be cut from the wreckage and was taken to hospital, although he received only minor injuries.

No other cars or people were involved: "And for that I am eternally thankful. I don't know if I would have been able to live with myself."

Peck was driving to a "good trout fishing spot" when he crashed. He can remember the crash and the sensation of the car turning him over.

"I felt enormously calm as it was rolling. Maybe that's what saved me from injury ... I didn't panic."

His parliamentary career was "over a long time ago ... when I didn't make Cabinet last time", and Peck will not stand for re-election this year.

But he says he still has a lot to do in his constituency - including pushing for roadworks to alter a dangerous corner.

Peck is ashamed that his problem with alcohol has become so public.

"It would have been nice to deal with the issue anonymously ... but in my job that's not possible."

He returned to his treatment clinic in Auckland last night.