KEY POINTS:
Two witnesses have admitted they lied to investigators probing corruption allegations against Mangere MP Taito Phillip Field.
Thai plasterer Phisimai Phothisarn yesterday told a Manukau District Court depositions hearing that Field had pre-approved what she would say about work carried out on one of his Wellington properties, before her meeting with independent investigator Noel Ingram, QC.
"If the QC asked me any questions about how many went to Wellington, I should mention only the names of people who live here legally."
Phillip Field is defending 40 bribery, corruption and obstruction of justice charges after he allegedly allowed several Thai nationals - whom he was helping with immigration issues - to work on his properties for little pay, save the cost of materials.
The offending is alleged to have taken place between November 2002 and October 2005.
Ms Phothisarn - giving evidence for a second day - told prosecutor David Johnstone she and 11 other Thai immigrants had met Field twice before her interview with Mr Ingram.
It was at these meetings, it is alleged, Field agreed with them not to name the illegal workers, and to say they had gone to Wellington on three occasions.
"I think I wasn't truthful to the QC ... I think [I lied] about the amount of people who went with me."
She said she lied because "there were many of my friends who were living here illegally, and I just wanted to protect them". The court was also told Field had contacted her after her meeting with Mr Ingram and allegedly offered her money for work completed.
"Taito said he wouldn't feel comfortable if we didn't accept any money."
However, she said none of the group had wanted money from Field because he had helped them in other ways.
She said she had a second meeting with Field - in a Burger King carpark in Auckland's Mission Bay - where he again offered her money.
They eventually agreed he would pay her $2000. He arrived at her home later that evening with a cheque for $700.
He also asked her for a receipt.
In other evidence, New Lynn hairdresser Jansri Cole told Field's lawyer, Paul Davison, QC, she had lied in a statement to police after being contacted by Thai tiler Sunan Siriwan, who was working for the MP in Samoa.
"He [Mr Siriwan] told me not to say how he lives over there, or any accommodation or financial [details], in case there was a problem for him."
Ms Cole - a Thai with New Zealand citizenship - earlier told Mr Johnstone she had acted as interpreter at two meetings between Field and Mr Siriwan.
"He was asking [Field] to help him out with a visa."
She said Field had suggested Mr Siriwan - who was facing deportation from New Zealand - could either return to Thailand, or go to Samoa where Field had a property that required tiling work.
Field had said his offer was made because he was a Christian, and Mr Siriwan could stay with his family in Samoa.
Though Mr Siriwan would not receive much pay for his work, it was understood Field would work on his New Zealand immigration problems while he was away, the court was told.
The hearing, before Judge Charles Blackie, is expected to run about three weeks.
