A man of service’- Pacific leaders' tributes for Taito Phillip Field

Former Labour Party Minister Taito Phillip Field, has been praised for his work as the country’s first Pacific MP, and his service to the community.

Taito, aged 68, died on Thursday at Auckland Hospital from natural causes.

Manukau councillor Alf Filipaina says during his time as an MP from 1993 to 2005, Taito made his mark on the South Auckland community.

“He represented Otara, then came across to the land of the young, gifted and Pacific, Mangere. He was definitely a person that we could say represented our Pacific community very well. He will be missed, so my thoughts are with the family.”

Former National MP Arthur Anae says he didn’t quite believe it when he heard the news.

“I had no idea he was ailing with anything, but he was very good the last time I spoke to him, so I was very, very shocked.”

Anae served in Parliament with Taito, along with Luamanuvao Dame Winne Laban in the late 1990s to early 2000s, and describes their time as "interesting".

“While we sat on opposite benches, when it came to Pacific things we had our own little meetings to discuss what’s going on and what we were going to do.

“So, irrespective what side of the couch we sat on, we were concerned about making sure issues with Pacific people were dealt the right way by both sides of the house.”

Under Helen Clark's Labour government, Taito held portfolios as Minister of State, associate Minister of Justice, Pacific Island affairs and social development.

Anae says being a Pacific Islander Member of Parliament carries high expectations from the community.

“Our community seems to think, 'You're there, you're our man, you do what we want'. That isn’t the way it works.

“Just because someone has fought the battle and finally got there, he's not your slave. He's there to do the best job he can for you, within the limits of what he can.”

Much of the media coverage of Taito's death has focused on the controversial aspects of his career, when he was expelled from the Labour Party and jailed for six years on charges of bribery and corruption.

But Anae says he understands it was a favour that was blown out of proportion, and the party needed to make an example of him.

“Someone comes along, he's going to be deported and wants help. [Taito] finds a solution saying yes, if I send them to Samoa he can stay there and do some work for me and eventually he may get a chance to come back to New Zealand.

“The Labour Party at the time were concerned that the opposition was going to use this to hammer them to the wall, and so they had to take the action they took to protect themselves and do right in the eyes of the public.”

Filipaina says the negative aspects should not overshadow all the good work he did.

“He should be remembered for his service to our community and his leadership, in the years that he was in Parliament and for his service, especially for South Auckland in Otara and Mangere.

Taito was born in Samoa in 1952 and arrived in New Zealand when he was seven. He is survived by his wife Maxine and their two children.

Climate for Pacific politicians 'much better'

Anae says the political climate for Pacific politicians is much better, and the size of the current Pacific caucus is better than he ever imagined.

“I never believe the day that I'd be still alive that we would have 12 in there, and four holding portfolios, it’s absolutely fantastic and I actually give total credit to what the Labour party has done on behalf of ethnic people in the recognition of them within Parliament. That, I’m sad to say didn't happen in my time with National when I was there."

He says the Labour Party is on a strong streak at the moment, and hopes a more-balanced government will emerge in future.

“Some of their policies at the moment to do with the internal economics of this country are going backwards and I don't think it's going to help them. They're just lucky the opposition is weak, but that will come back again.”