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Mangere MP Taito Phillip Field will stand trial on 40 bribery, corruption and obstruction of justice charges.
Manukau District Court Judge Charles Blackie today committed the former Labour MP - now sitting as an independent - to the High Court, following a 19-day depositions hearing.
The public gallery, which has been occupied by Field supporters throughout the hearing, was packed for Judge Blackie's decision, which came after Field's lawyer Paul Davison, QC, said he would contest the argument there was a prima facie case to answer.
It is alleged Field allowed several Thai nationals, whom he was helping with immigration issues, to work on his properties for little pay - save the cost of materials - between November 2002 and October 2005.
Field has yet to enter a formal plea to the charges, and Judge Blackie remanded him on bail to a High Court call-over on July 30.
