-
Watch Video
-
Related
The first New Zealand MP to be found guilty of bribery and corruption has been jailed for six years.
The sentence is made up of two years for perverting the course of justice and four years for corruption.
The judge gave him a discount of 18 months for his impeccable record of service to the community.
Field, the former Associate Justice and Pacific Islands Affairs Minister, was told by the judge, that his actions threatened the foundation of democracy and justice.
A huge number of family and supporters turned out to support the former MP, as he was sentenced on 11 counts of bribery and corruption and 15 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice
Field's wife Maxine walked into the Auckland High Court on Tuesday morning with her husband, but emerged five hours later alone.
"We are so heart-broken, we are broken because all this is happening, but it's a bad time, really bad time. It's sad but the law is the law what can we do," Maxine told reporters.
In August, a jury found him guilty of giving immigration assistance to Thai nationals in exchange for work done to properties he owned.
He was also convicted of trying to derail a subsequent investigation into his actions.
His trial lasted almost four months and involved thousands of pages of evidence.
Field has consistently maintained his innocence but last week he apologised for the actions which led to his convictions.
He also said his conscience was clear.
At a community meeting in Mangere he said he was apologising to the people of Mangere , and all of New Zealand, for allowing the outcome to occur.
That apology may have influenced the mixed reaction ONE News found on the streets of Mangere after the sentencing, with some saying he should have been jailed for a longer period while others saying he should not have been jailed at all.
After the judgement, Field's new clothes were brought in while family and supporters spent an hour praying, before emerging with reasons why Field was still their man.
"There is a cultural gifting that would be very hard to understand from people who do not belong to the culture," says Aso Saliopolo, a Methodist Church minister.
Prime Minister John Key said the jailing of a former MP has not tarnished parliament's reputation.
"I truly believe it's an isolated and single incident. I think the fact the courts have taken such a strong view will help New Zealand's reputation," says Key.
Elected as Labour MP for Mangere in 1993, Field was expelled from the party in 2007.
He continued to represent the electorate as an independent MP before losing the seat to Labour's Sua William Sio in the 2008 general election.
Latest NZ News Video
-
Kiwi speaks to TVNZ7 from Everest base camp (1:59)
-
Immigration advisor Bill Milnes discusses claims (4:34)
-
Dance to save Shakti service (0:41)
