Nats want investigation into overstayer case

The National Party is calling for an independent investigation into claims a Thai overstayer was hired to tile a Labour MP's house in Samoa after he came to the MP for help gaining a New Zealand work permit.

TV One News reported last night that Associate Pacific Affairs Minister Taito Phillip Field had asked Associate Immigration Minister Damien O'Connor to review applications for New Zealand work visas by Sunan Siriwan and his wife.

Mr Siriwan came to Mr Field for help. He was facing deportation, and his de facto Thai wife had already been deported.

Mr Field sought O'Connor's intervention, and apparently did not tell Mr O'Connor that he was flying Mr Siriwan to Samoa to work on his house.

Mr Field said there was no connection between the review he asked for and the fact that the man carried out work on his house in Samoa.

Mr O'Connor has said he will review the man's case on merit.

But National's immigration spokesman Tony Ryall said today a judge should lead an independent investigation into the case.

Mr Ryall said it was concerning if Mr Field had received cheap services in return for his help and the Government had some explaining to do.

"If a minister did get cheap services in return for supporting a work visa, then that is unprecedented. This would go to the heart of ministerial conflict of interest.

"(Prime Minister) Helen Clark should be explaining what her minister has been up to.

"And if Mr Field did not tell Mr O'Connor of the full circumstances around his representation, then that is very worrying," Mr Ryall said.

Mr O'Connor said yesterday MPs from all parties regularly came to him asking him to intervene on behalf of individuals.

His review of Mr Siriwan's case would be subject to all standard criteria.

Mr Siriwan and his wife are still in Samoa.

- NZPA