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Independent MP Taito Phillip Field expects to appeal against a High Court ruling that cleared the way for police to prosecute him for bribery and corruption.
The High Court gave leave in a reserved judgment yesterday after an August hearing of the police application to lay 15 charges of bribery and corruption against Mr Field.
The charges centre on allegations Mr Field gave immigration assistance in return for free or low-cost labour on properties he owned in Samoa, South Auckland and Wellington.
Detective Superintendent Malcolm Burgess said police hoped to lay the charges soon and further charges for obstructing the course of justice were likely to be added.
However, Mr Field has consistently denied any wrongdoing and yesterday his lawyer Simativa Perese indicated Mr Field would appeal.
When granting the leave, Chief High Court Judge Tony Randerson said there was a strong public interest in allowing a prosecution so the charges could be tested in court.
"There can be no question that the allegations made against [Mr Field] are extremely serious in that they strike at the heart of the administration of a Government and the integrity of members of Parliament."
Because the corruption and bribery charges related to a member of Parliament, leave from the High Court was needed to prosecute to ensure charges were not politically motivated or influenced, and to weigh up the public interest in the charges being laid. The offence carries a prison term of up to seven years.
On National Radio, Mr Field said he was disappointed by the decision but maintained his innocence.
He said "there was never any intention for any return or response in any way for the help I had given" and that the police were "trying to make connections where there are no connections".
In his judgment, Justice Randerson rejected the argument of Paul Dacre - Mr Field's lawyer - that a bribery arrangement required both parties to knowingly agree on such a deal.
Justice Randerson said such deals were often informal and might be established in large measure by "a nod and a wink".
"The issues for trial are likely to be whether the work was carried out at an undervalue, as alleged by the Crown, whether there was a corrupt arrangement between [Mr Field] and the named individuals whereby the work would be carried out in recognition of the immigration assistance provided, and whether the respondent appreciated this was the nature of the arrangement."
The High Court decision does not affect Mr Field's position as a member of Parliament or as Mangere's electorate MP, but if he is convicted he cannot stand.
Mr Field said he did not intend to resign. "I've made clear my innocence. I do not believe I've done anything wrong."
He was suspended from the Labour Party caucus in February and resigned from the party soon after to become an Independent MP.
Those trying to get a new Christian Party off the ground, including Destiny Church and Gordon Copeland, are waiting for Mr Field's case to be resolved to decide if he will play a part.
