Field's family helping immigrants, stepdaughter says

Taito Phillip Field's house in Samoa. Picture / Savaii Times

Taito Phillip Field's family in Samoa say they have done everything they can to help an immigrant family central to allegations against the Labour MP.

Mr Field's stepdaughter Dorothy Hunter told National Radio Sunan Siriwan, his wife Aumporn Phanngarm, and their son had stayed at her home for the past two months.

Mr Siriwan's lawyer Olinda Woodroffe last week said the family was living in poverty and had applied to return to New Zealand.

Mr Field is being investigated by police over allegations he accepted money from constituents, altered a document and over a slew of allegations around a report by Noel Ingram, QC, who investigated Mr Field's dealings with Asian immigrants he helped gain visas.

Mr Field had assisted Mr Siriwan, who did work on his Samoan property for little pay.

New Zealand police may interview him - but would not confirm that to NZPA today.

Ms Hunter said she was upset Ms Woodroffe had said the family were struggling when Mr Field's relatives had done all they could - including offering to pay for flights home to Thailand.

"He (Mr Siriwan) chooses to stay here he does not want to return to Thailand for some reason, I don't know."

The Thai Government has offered to repatriate the family; Thai Ambassador Norachit Sinhaseni told the Herald the Government would be happy to pay to send them home.

Ms Hunter said the Thai family were determined to return to New Zealand and Mr Siriwan had tearfully apologised for exaggerating the situation in Samoa.

"I confronted them and he broke down and asked for forgiveness. He said he would do anything, anything to get back to New Zealand. I suppose even if it means betraying us the people who have been with him all this time. It was really shocking."

She said the comments were hurtful considering there had been no charge for accommodation for the Thai family who had moved between relatives to avoid media.

Mr Siriwan was able to do odd jobs to make a bit of money.

"He drinks and smokes every day, his son goes to a private school - is that poverty? They have a home to live in. Everything is provided for. They don't pay us board... They do not live in poverty."

Ms Hunter said Mr Field, who was in Samoa, had not met Mr Siriwan on his current visit. The MP was due to fly back to New Zealand next week.

- NZPA