New accuser signs statutory declaration against Field

A Wellington fisherman claims Taito Phillip Field asked him for cash in exchange for immigration help when he approached him in 1994.

The man signed a statutory declaration to that effect in front of a solicitor, which National immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith released yesterday with the name blanked out.

Dr Smith, who said the man contacted him, said the declaration would be handed to the police but he wasn't prepared to release the man's name to the media. "I don't want a media scrum around this individual, who has suffered enough."

He described it as "a hugely serious allegation" against the MP, who has been stood down on full pay while police investigate other allegations, mostly claiming he personally benefited from immigration assistance he gave to people.

The man said in the declaration he had approached Mr Field in his Mangere office looking for help to keep his wife, an overstayer, in New Zealand. The pair had two children.

His declaration said: "When I met Mr Field in his Mangere office I spoke to him about an immigration matter.

"He told me it would have to be done in the Samoan way and I recall he mentioned the term 'fa'alavelave'.

"But he told me the more money I could find the better the outcome would be in the long run. I was unable to give him any money because I had nothing.

"My very clear understanding was that if any money was to be paid, it had to be paid to Mr Field ...

"On the basis of what Mr Field said to me, I believe he intended to keep some of the cash for himself."

Fa'alavelave is the practice, often at a wedding, funeral or birthday, of giving cash to the hosts.

Dr Smith said because the man had no money, Mr Field refused to help him. "This is not the only case I'm aware of where money was required to be paid. The difference in this case is that this individual had nothing more to lose because he lost his wife and children.

"Others got help because they paid cash: they don't want to sign such declarations because they are fearful of the consequences should they do so."

The Herald was unable to reach Mr Field, believed to be in Samoa, or his lawyer yesterday.