Field's tiler unlikely to migrate to NZ

The Thai tiler whose work on the house of Taito Phillip Field sparked the inquiry into the MP's conduct is still living and working in Samoa and is unlikely ever to come to New Zealand.

Inquiries by the Herald to the Samoan Government have confirmed that Sunan Siriwan remains in Samoa, where his work permit has been extended to the end of the year.

A Government spokesman in Apia said it would not have been difficult to get the extension because there was a lot of work available for skilled tilers in the country.

Mr Siriwan never followed up his attempt to re-enter New Zealand - where he had lived illegally from early 1997 until March 2005 - after getting special ministerial permission.

In June last year the then Associate Immigration Minister, Damien O'Connor, directed the Immigration Service to issue Mr Siriwan and his partner, Aumporn Phanngarm - who had also lived in New Zealand illegally - a two-year work permit as an exception to policy. That direction had followed a meeting with Mr Field, who promoted Mr Siriwan's case.

Mr Field did not tell Mr O'Connor that Mr Siriwan had been working on his Samoan mansion at Afiamalu, where he tiled all the floors over about three months. Mr Siriwan received no formal payment for the work but was provided with accommodation, food and some money.

Noel Ingram, QC, did not find Mr Field had a conflict of interest when he asked Mr O'Connor to direct officials to grant the work permit to Mr Siriwan.

Dr Ingram noted that the work permits had not been issued and the Immigration Service file contained no applications for them.

The Herald learned yesterday the direction of Mr O'Connor had to be activated within six months and had expired.