Jail time looming for Taito Phillip Field
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Taito Phillip Field, the first New Zealand politician to be convicted of corruption, faces up to seven years in prison. . He was also found guilty of 15 of 23 obstruction of justice charges.
New Zealand’s first Pacific Islands MP, Field was granted bail by Justice Rodney Hansen yesterday, then whisked out a back entrance of the High Court at Auckland.
Field, 56, who always claimed he was innocent, will be sentenced on October 6 and could be jailed for a maximum of seven years.
Crown prosecutor Simon Moore said it was a crucial trial.
A weeping Maxine Field, his wife, had to be helped from court by family, all of whom refused to comment.
“Bribery and corruption strikes very much at the heart of who we are as a people,” he said after the verdict. “I am grateful these witnesses had the courage to stand up and be counted,” he said.
Detective Superintendent Malcolm Burgess, who led the investigation, said giving evidence was “an extraordinary harrowing experience” for some witnesses.
“I’m disappointed, but Mr Field is very disappointed,” he said.
Field’s lawyer, Paul Davison, said it had been a long and difficult trial.
‘REFLECTS BADLY ON PARLIAMENT’
Prime Minister John Key said the case was a sad affair.
It was “premature” to consider an appeal.
“Ultimately it reflects badly on our Parliament.
“Ultimately it reflects badly on our Parliament.
“I think it’s an isolated case.
He said it would be “unjustified” for this case to be taken as a reflection of the whole Parliament, he said. I think New Zealanders should see it on that basis. I think Mr Field’s been dealt with now by the judiciary and ultimately has to face whatever sentence they decide is appropriate.
“What it shows you is when you are facing a very serious issue you actually have to have a proper investigation and I don’t think the terms of reference were ever set in a way where the government of the day was look for a conclusive outcome.”
He said it showed investigations into Mr Field ordered by the former Labour government were not examining for a solution.”
. Actually they wanted to park the situation for political convenience