David Tua and Taito Phillip Field. Photos / Northern Advocate and Brett Phibbs
Heavyweight boxer David Tua was the most recognisable face in a packed Manukau District Court depositions hearing for a sitting MP charged with bribery and obstruction of justice.
Former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field, now holding the Mangere seat as an independent, is fighting 40 charges, including
15 allegations of bribery and corruption and 25 of perverting the course of justice.
The charges relate to Phillip Field's hiring of labourers to work on properties, in Auckland, Wellington and Samoa.
Prosecutors allege Phillip Field allowed several Thai nationals - whom he was helping with immigration issues - to work on his properties for little pay, save the cost of materials.
The offending is alleged to have taken place between November 2002 and October 2005.
Tua - who said he expects to leave for the United States " after Mother's Day" to prepare for a June fight - said he wanted to support Phillip Field, whom he said had done a lot of good for the community.
"Life is a challenge, and for me today, I don't get into the legal, because I don't know anything about it. I am just here to let him know that life is a fight... you need to hang in there and keep the faith," Tua said.
A shortage of witnesses slowed proceedings drastically this morning, with Detective Sergeant Darren Folau the only one to give evidence before noon.
Mr Folau - the officer second in charge of the investigation into Phillip Field - visited Samoa a number of times and oversaw the execution of search warrants at a number of addresses, including Phillip Field's Mangere home and electorate office, and his Wellington office.
He also carried out searches - and seized documents - at a number of witnesses' homes.
Up to 50 witnesses are expected to give evidence in the hearing, many of whom will require translators.
The hearing, before Judge Charles Blackie, is set down for four weeks.
