Turia Tariana: Urgent Debates — Taito Phillip Field—Report of Dr Noel Ingram QC 
Turia Tariana: Urgent Debates — Taito Phillip Field—Report of Dr Noel Ingram QC 
[Volume:632;Page:4132] 
TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
 Well—were everyone here so perfect! The Maori Party stands today delighted that Taito Phillip Field is cleared through the inquiry into conflict of interest allegations against him. The honourable Taito Phillip Field brings to this House a history and a distinctive character that can only enhance the quality of debate in this debating chamber. He is a politician who brings the cultural strength of Samoan Cook Island German English and Jewish whakapapa to the issues that come before us. He was bestowed the title of Taito paramount chief of the village of Manase Savai’i Samoa in 1975. He is the first MP of Pacific Island descent in the New Zealand Parliament. He is a politician who brings the constituency of Mangere into this Parliament. 
I was interested in the release from Mr Field this morning that referred to his relief that justice has been done. The Maori Party is interested in that concept of due justice. It is not a concept that one automatically associates with political parties but in this case the expertise of Noel Ingram QC has been listened to and accorded respect. Justice has been done. 
Mr Brownlee in opening this debate spoke about a code of conduct for a Minister and for an MP. Well my goodness let us hope the code of conduct comes out soon. The report from Dr Ingram recognises that Mr Field did make some errors of judgment but it concludes that there was no conflict of interest and states that Mr Field was at all times cooperative with the inquiry. Indeed Mr Field showed the type of conduct befitting one of his status. We must be big enough in this House to acknowledge that errors are made and mistakes do occur. None of us can pretend to be perfect. I know that too well from having made mistakes myself when I was a Minister and I learnt from those mistakes. 
An independent inquiry has been completed—a very expensive and long-winded analysis of all matters impacting on the personal honesty and integrity of that MP—and Mr Field has had the courage to admit that he made mistakes. He has put on record his commitment to ensuring that he will be more careful about how he helps people and his intention to review his own practices and the procedures of his electorate office. What more can we ask? We have a responsibility in this Parliament to demonstrate leadership and to act as we would want our nation to emulate yet day after day—even in this very debate—personal attack offence and belittlement of individuals take place on all sides of the Chamber. Many times we are too quick to judge and to crucify personally and those who live in glass houses should not throw stones—a lesson I learnt as a child. 
The Maori Party comes to every debate to speak to the issues and the policies not to the personalities and we respect the courage of Mr Field. We mihi to him and his whanau and we ask everyone in this House to have the compassion and insight to commend the way in which he has maintained his integrity in very trying times. Tena koutou.