PM: Field saga dents Parliament's image

The trial, conviction and sentencing of Taito Phillip Field has been a sorry saga that reflects badly on Parliament, Prime Minister John Key says.

Mr Key said he did not want to comment on the sentence itself.

"What I can say is the whole event has been a very sorry saga and I think, although it was an isolated incident, it reflects badly on the New Zealand Parliament," he said.

"And at the end of the day it's going to reflect badly on the Labour Party and they're just going to have to accept that."

Parliament's Speaker, Lockwood Smith, said he was saddened that a former MP and minister had been sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

"It demonstrates that all members of Parliament are accountable for their actions and that none of us are above the law," he said.

Labour's deputy leader, Annette King, said the sentence showed all New Zealanders were equal under the law.

"Taito Phillip Field has been judged by his peers," she said. "He must now serve the sentence handed down in the Auckland High Court."

She said the Labour Party would not be commenting further.

As National's immigration spokesman in Opposition, Dr Smith, pursued Field and asked then Immigration Minister David Cunliffe more than 400 questions, drilling into contradictions and querying answers.

- NZPA