Field denies giving waterproofer 'blank cheque'

Former MP Taito Phillip Field told a jury today he did not give a waterproofer a "blank cheque" to buy materials to work with on his Samoan property.

Field, the MP for Mangere between 1993 and 2008, was giving evidence at his trial in the High Court in Auckland on 35 criminal charges related to work he allegedly had done on his properties in return for immigration assistance to Thai nationals.

Field told the jury that evidence about purchasing materials given by waterproofer Keith Williams, who was heading to Samoa with Thai tiler Sunan Siriwan, did not match his recollection.

Mr Williams said he bought the materials before meeting with Field and discussing taking the materials to Samoa.

"I can categorically say I never recall discussing with him to buy materials for the purpose of waterproofing in Samoa," Field said.

"He may have tried to justify my paying his airfare to Samoa on the basis of waterproofing. That was not the reason.

"I did not give him a blank cheque to purchase materials."

Field faces 12 charges of bribery and corruption as an MP and 23 charges of wilfully attempting to obstruct or pervert the course of justice.

The bribery and corruption charges allege that Field had Thai nationals carried out work on five of his properties in return for help with their immigration issues, while the other 23 charges allege that he took steps to derail investigations into his conduct by police and by Noel Ingram QC.

Cross-examination of Field is expected to start tomorrow.

- NZPA