MP bailed on bribery, perverting course of justice charges

Mangere MP Taito Phillip Field made his first appearance in Manukau District Court this morning on 40 criminal charges.

Field faces 15 counts of bribery and 25 counts of attempting to pervert the court of justice.

He did not plead and was remanded on bail until December 12.

The charges relate to work done on seven houses Field owns in Auckland, Wellington and Samoa. Field is alleged to have offered immigration assistance to people who did tens of thousands of dollars of work on his properties.

As he walked into the court Field told waiting media: "It's time these matters were brought to an end."

- NZPA